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Holden Appoints New Chairman and Managing Director

Australian manufacturer Holden, who's still living under General Motors' umbrella, yesterday announced that it appoints a new chairman and managing director after Mark Reuss, who held this position since February, 2008 will have a senior product development role within the parent company in the US.

Holden hasn't mentioned the automaker Mark Reuss is going to work for. Alan Batey, 46-year-old, who's currently serving as Executive Director, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, will become the company's new Chairman and Managing Director of Holden on September 1, 2009.

"Mark’s leadership during what has been a tumultuous time for the auto industry, both in Australia and globally, has been outstanding. At a time when the industry has been in crisis and where the parent company has been through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, Mark has championed the interests of Holden at every turn," Nick Reilly, GM Executive Vice President and President of GM International Operations, commented on the change.

"He has played a pivotal role in ensuring it is an important part of the new GM. He achieved a great deal in a relatively short time and returns to a key role in GM where he will remain a strong friend of Holden."

"Alan brings extensive leadership experience, exceptional product and commercial knowledge and a real passion for Holden. He has worked for GM across four continents and brings crucial continuity of leadership for Holden in what is a highly competitive marketplace. It is strong endorsement of the Holden leadership team that the Chairman and MD was able to be selected from within existing ranks."

Alan Batey joined Holden in January 2006 when he was appointed as Executive Director - Sales, Marketing and Aftersales and also served as a Holden Board of Directors. Before working for the Australian automaker, Batey held a similar position in GM Daewoo since 2002. He started his career in General Motors in 1979 when he joined Vauxhall in the UK as a mechanical engineer apprentice.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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