Ralph Stevenson to lead the Saab brand team


RALPH STEVENSON HAS been named Director Saab Australia and New Zealand, effective January 01, 2005.

The appointment of Ralph Stevenson is the next step in the integration of the Saab business unit and Holden in Australia, plans for which have been in progress for more than a year.

Holden Ltd and Saab Automobile Australia are both wholly owned subsidiaries of General Motors (GM) in Australia.

Ralph Stevenson joined Holden in 1985 and most recently was Director for Strategic Planning.

Ralph’s prior senior roles at Holden as Marketing Manager for Large Cars, Fleet Sales Manager, Export Director and HSPO National Sales Manager provide an excellent foundation for leading the new Saab brand team.

The Saab brand team is taking shape with three of the four leadership positions reporting to the Director now filled:

Olivia Perkovic:             Sales Manager

Neil Whitehead:            Aftersales Manager

Paul Ellis:                     Public Relations Manager

Olivia, Neil and Paul have over 15 years experience with Saab.

The final management position of Brand Manager will be filled shortly, with the entire Saab brand team in place by the end of the year.

Current Saab Automobile Australia Managing Director, Tony Jennett, has elected to pursue other interests and will not be part of the new Saab brand team coming into effect on January 01, 2005.

“We thank Tony Jennett for his efforts over the last four years and wish him every success in the future,” says Knut Simonsson, Executive Director Global Marketing and Saab Cars International.

“Saab also welcomes Ralph, whose diverse experience will be applied across the critical elements of the Saab business in Australia and New Zealand.”

The Saab brand team will work exclusively on Saab and be responsible for Saab sales, aftersales, marketing and public relations in Australia and New Zealand.