8:18 pm, June 2, 2011
KIA has announced the appointment of Simon Hetherington as its new dealer development director.
Hetherington moves from the position of marketing director to the newly created role.
Since joining the company in 2007 from Toyota GB, Hetherington has steered the company’s increased public profile through a strong strategic development of both the product line-up and an aggressive and innovative marketing communications programme.
He will now lead a just-announced department aimed at strengthening the dealer network’s customer experience focus, the business development of existing and new dealers and the provision of support and services to support dealership profitability as well as continuing Kia’s network growth and the introduction of a new corporate identity to be rolled out over the next three years.
Kia’s managing director Michael Cole said: ‘Simon has done a huge job leading the brand’s market profile over the past four years and I am confident that he will bring all of that experience to bear in helping to enhance the capabilities of our dealer partners. If we are to hit our goals over the next few years we have to deliver an outstanding customer experience – to match our seven year warranty, vehicle design and quality standards.’
Hetherington added: ‘I have had the chance to work with a great team here at Kia and having seen the efforts of our dealer commercial, academy and franchising teams at close quarters over the last four years, I am convinced we can help our dealers deliver unrivalled services to our customers and at the same time develop even greater profitability for their businesses.’
