5:00 am, June 27, 2013
FIAT Group Automobiles UK Ltd has appointed Karl Howkins, to the newly created role of commercial director.
Howkins, who will report to managing director Steve Zanlunghi, will take over the responsibility for developing sales of new cars across the Fiat Group, which includes the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Jeep and Chrysler brands.
This appointment marks the formation of a new department of Commercial Operations, in which all passenger car retail sales, fleet, used and logistics operations will be handled by this new division.
With a unique combination of experience in dealer and manufacturer experience, Howkins, 41, brings 25 years of industry knowledge to the Fiat Group.
Howkins said: ‘I am very much looking forward to the challenge and I have a strong belief that you need to adopt a team culture with staff, dealers and suppliers.
‘For Fleet it’s essential that we compete in all sales areas and demonstrate a consistent approach to
