GM’s U.S. sales boss Mark LaNeve to leave Oct. 15
Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
October 7, 2009 – 10:28 am ET
UPDATED: 10/7/09 11:13 a.m. ET
Mark Laneve
| DETROIT — General Motors Co.’s head of U.S. sales, Mark LaNeve, is resigning effective Oct. 15 as the automaker continues to struggle with one of the worst years in U.S. sales history. “Mark’s going to join another company to pursue an interest outside the auto industry,” GM CEO Fritz Henderson said during a conference call this morning.LaNeve, 50, was appointed vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing in 2005. In July of this year, GM handed over marketing duties to Vice Chairman Bob Lutz after the automaker emerged from 39 days in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
LaNeve’s departure comes after GM’s U.S. sales plunged 36 percent during the first nine months of 2009 compared with the same period last year. Total industry sales have fallen 27 percent over that period. The annual U.S. sales rate in September — 9.51 million vehicles — was close to the 27-year lows seen in the first half of the year. “It’s a sad day for the dealer body,” said John Rogin, owner of Rogin Buick in suburban Detroit. “I felt GM had its best chance with him. He was a great leader and inspirational. Hopefully the rest of management will stay intact.” GM has not appointed a replacement for LaNeve. Henderson said the company will make some changes in its sales division as it replaces LaNeve.
|
