Report: Opel director Sedran to succeed Docherty as Chevy Europe boss

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

Thomas Sedran, Chevy and Cadillac Europe bossWhen longtime General Motors executive Susan Docherty announced she would be stepping down from her post as the head of Chevrolet and Cadillac in Europe, there was some idle chatter that plans for the creation of a new global overseer position for the Bowtie brand was behind the move. And while US sales chief Alan Batey has indeed assumed control of Chevy worldwide since her departure announcement, Docherty’s vacancy is being filled after all, with Opel chief strategist Thomas Sedran taking up the reins.

That’s according to Automotive News, who reports that Sedran will be tasked with pulling Chevy out of a sales funk, much of it pegged on Europe’s stagnant auto industry, which has sunk to a 20-year low. AN notes that Chevy’s EU sales plunged 32 percent to 57,584 units through the first five months of 2013, but the everyday value brand is faring worlds better than Cadillac, which has sold just 167 units in Europe over the same time period.

Sedran, 48, has been in the auto industry for over 20 years. Most recently, at Opel he had been working on long-term plans for the marque, and was appointed to the brand’s management board in April of last year. Prior to joining GM, Sedran was employed as a management consultant for AlixPartners, where he worked closely with Opel for six years. Sedran will assume his new duties beginning July 1.

Opel director Sedran to succeed Docherty as Chevy Europe boss originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Susan Docherty departing GM

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

Susan Docherty, GM

Susan Docherty is leaving General Motors. The versatile executive is currently installed as the president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac in Europe, but has announced her retirement effective September 30th. Docherty has been with GM for over 27 years.

Long seen as a key executive within GM – and one of the top female executives in the industry – Docherty has been in various sales and marketing, service and communications posts with GM in the US, Europe and Asia. Those past positions include being GM’s vice president of US Marketing, and previous to that, she served as general manager of The General’s Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel. Presently based in Zurich, Switzerland, Docherty was also tasked with being on the GM Korea Board of Directors.

Post-GM, Docherty says she will “take a break, invest time in my family and chart a new course for my career,” though she isn’t letting on what that new trajectory may be, automotive or otherwise. Her successor has not yet been named.

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Susan Docherty departing GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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