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ReprintsAston Martin recruits former Tesla exec to strengthen global sales
Paul McVeigh
Automotive News
October 13, 2009 - 6:07 am ET
Aston Martin has named former Tesla Motors and Harley Davidson executive Michael van der Sande to the newly created position of chief commercial officer. Van der Sande, 44, is tasked with strengthening all commercial areas at the British luxury sports car brand, which Ford Motor Co. sold to Kuwaiti-based investors in 2007. He will be based at the company's headquarters in Gaydon, England, and will report to CEO Ulrich Bez. Bez said van der Sande's broad experience on the global stage “will help us to further develop Aston Martin's presence around the world." Van der Sande quit as Tesla Motors' senior vice president for marketing in August after less than a year in the job. Before joining Tesla, he spent 12 years at Harley Davidson motorcycle company, most recently as head of Harley Davidson Europe. Van der Sande is a Dutch native who holds a racing license. His grandparents drove in the Monte Carlo Rally in the French Riviera. Aston Martin's car sales have been hit by the economic crisis. In the first eight months, the company built 1,415 cars, compared with 4,480 the year before, according to data from J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting. |
You can reach Paul McVeigh at pmcveigh@crain.com.
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