7:48 am, July 14, 2011
SUBARU UK has announced the appointment of a new managing director and a new five year plan.
Darren James, 41, becomes managing director for Subaru from his previous role of director parts and service.
Before directing the parts and service team from the start of 2010, he held overall responsibility for the imports operation from 2006, and was appointed logistics director in 2008.
James (pictured right) said: ‘I am enormously excited by the opportunity of steering the Subaru UK business in what promises to be a new phase for the brand.
‘We have some immediate challenges to face but we have some great opportunities ahead of us too with a number of new vehicles to launch, a fantastic dealer network and terrific Brand loyalty among our customers.’
Darren takes over from Paul Tunniclffe who is appointed to the newly created position of UK operations director.
In his new role Tunnicliffe heads up each of the three IM Group franchises at board level, and takes on responsibility for IM Group functions including dealer development, distribution and after-sales.
The developments come before a busy period for the firm over the next 12 months. A C-segment XV crossover will appear at the start of 2012, quickly followed by the launch of a new Impreza five-door and then the exciting new coupe in the spring.
Subaru’s 5-year plan
Subaru UK’s announcement comes as Fuji Heavy Industries, parent company to Subaru Automobiles, revealed its five year plan for the company. FHI’s ambition is to cement Subaru’s position globally by increasing annual sales by 40 per cent to one million units within the next 10 years.
Significant growth is forecast for the US and Chinese markets while growth in the European markets is forecast to increase from 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles.
In addition to the three new cars due for launch next year, the product line-up will be bolstered by the introduction of a further three models before 2016. A hybrid is also under discussion, but no further details are currently available.
The company will continue to focus efforts on the environmental efficiency of all its engines so that an average improvement of 30 per cent in fuel economy will be achieved across the board in all Subaru vehicles.
Subaru’s production facilities will also be expanded as the company plans to begin producing cars in China. Meanwhile, the main Japanese plant in Gunma will benefit from a major refurbishment while the Oizumi engine plant will be expanded to cater for increased Boxer diesel engine production.
