09 December 2009

V.P. Of Chevrolet To Retire

Detroit News

The management shakeup at General Motors Co. continued late Wednesday with the surprise retirement of Chevrolet Vice President Brent Dewar, who had been appointed to lead the automaker's largest and most important brand five month ago.


Dewar, 54, was appointed to the job by ousted CEO Fritz Henderson in July after serving as GM Europe's vice president, sales, marketing and aftersales.

He is being replaced by James Campbell, 45, who ran GM's fleet and commercial operations, and will serve as Chevrolet general manager.

Dewar's last day is April 1. GM said he is retiring to spend more time with his family and pursue personal interests.

"Jim has a strong track record of building relationships and partnerships with dealers and customers, and deep Chevrolet experience," said Susan Docherty, GM vice president of sales, service and marketing. "His energy, drive for results and willingness to take risks are great assets for leading the growing global Chevrolet brand."

Campbell, who joined GM in 1988, has been involved in several vehicle launches, including the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Colorado and Corvette. During his career, he has worked in field sales, retail incentives, marketing and customer-relationship management.

The move comes five days after Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre reshuffled senior management and promoted several younger managers. Also last week, GM's board of directors replaced Henderson after eight months on the job.

The Chevrolet position is a key job because GM anticipates the brand accounting for about 70 percent of its sales.

Chevrolet has arguably two of GM's most important launches next year with the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car and Cruze compact. The Volt is expected to help change perceptions about GM while the Cruze is expected to be a high-volume, fuel-efficient vehicle that gets up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

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