Automotive News

Porsche Cars North America Inc. will reorganize its U.S. field operations, adding an office to prepare for the launch of its new four-seater Gran Turismo Panamera in 2009.

The Central office, in Chicago, gives Porsche four regional centers. Other offices are Area South in Atlanta; Area West in Ontario, Calif.; and Area East in Herndon, Va.

The four offices will be managed by area vice presidents. The three previous offices were headed by general managers.

Area vice presidents, all of whom hold positions within Porsche today, are: Dave Martin, now vice president of aftersales, vice president of Area West; Doug Battie, now the west general manager, vice president of Area Central; Dave Kurtz, now south general manager, vice president of Area South; and Mick Pallardy, now east general manager, vice president of Area East.

Porsche says the move is designed to decentralize decision-making and give regional executives greater responsibility for meeting business goals. The move also will foster more direct interaction with dealers and customers, the statement said. Porsche has 202 U.S. dealers.

“With this change, we are striving to be more competitive than ever and improve the company’s ability to support our dealers and customers in the U.S. on a more personal level,” Michael Bartsch, COO of Porsche Cars North America, said in the statement.

“Just as importantly, it will also enable us to reach new segments in the market as we bring the Panamera, which is a car unlike any Porsche has ever offered before.”

Additional personnel in the area offices will include a marketing manager, a preowned manager, a dealer business consultant and an aftersales manager, who will have parts manager responsibilities.