Retail knowledgeable takes workplace to revitalize gross sales at scandal-hit German carmaker
By Lee Min-hyung
Han Sung Motor CEO Marco Kim / Courtesy of Han Sung Motor
Han Sung Motor has appointed Marco Kim as its new chief in a strategic transfer aimed toward serving to Mercedes-Benz Korea realign its gross sales technique following the carmaker’s involvement in a catastrophic electrical car (EV) hearth in Incheon.
Kim took workplace Sunday by changing outgoing CEO Ulf Ausprung. Han Sung Motor is a certified vendor for the Korean subsidiary of the German automaker.
Han Sung Motor expects the brand new Korean chief to drive a change within the gross sales ambiance for the German luxurious carmaker at an important time when the fireplace triggered by a Mercedes EQE sedan has escalated into a serious social subject, sparking nationwide EV-phobia.
Final month, Mercedes-Benz Korea got here underneath extreme public criticism for not taking any quick countermeasures concerning its compensation plans associated to the EV fiasco, which left greater than 100 different parked automobiles severely broken at an underground parking zone in Incheon.
Critics have urged the German carmaker to nominate Korean specialists as prime executives to make sure swift decision-making that’s higher suited to the Korean automotive market, particularly amid the corporate’s declining gross sales.
Based on knowledge from the Korea Car Importers & Distributors Affiliation, Mercedes-Benz Korea’s automotive gross sales got here in at 34,380 between January and July this yr, down 15.8 % from the earlier yr.
Han Sung Motor expects Kim to assist its shoppers cope with the quickly altering auto market right here.
“I really feel a powerful sense of accountability for taking over the position as the biggest vendor of Mercedes-Benz Korea,” Kim mentioned. “I’ll do my finest to strengthen innovation and make extra strategic makes an attempt for sustainable progress of each Han Sung Motor and our shoppers.”
Kim is a retail knowledgeable within the world auto trade, having labored with numerous world carmakers. Born in Korea, he moved to Australia and spent most of his retail profession there.
He labored as a shopper director at Deloitte Motor Trade Companies in Australia. Most not too long ago, he was a vendor principal at Porsche Centre Brisbane earlier than assuming the brand new place in Korea.
Kim, who spearheaded Australia’s premium auto retail trade, has expertise working with luxurious automakers reminiscent of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Infinity and Volvo.
He helped them arrange their retail methods in Australia and supplied numerous consulting providers for premium carmakers.
Kim is extensively anticipated to map out future gross sales methods for Han Sung Motor’s auto shoppers.
The outgoing CEO of Han Sung Motor won’t instantly step down from the put up, however will proceed to assist Kim till he will get accustomed to his new position right here.
“Han Sung Motor has secured the brand new knowledgeable who will drive strategic innovation and sustainable progress of the corporate,” Han Sung Motor’s former CEO Ulf Ausprung mentioned. “Expectations are Kim will contribute loads for Han Sung Motor to attain one other main leap-forward within the Korean imported car trade.”
