IRVINE, Calif. — The North American subsidiary operations for Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover are creating a new organization within the Premier Automotive Group. The Premier Automotive Group is the Consumer Business Group within Ford Motor Company responsible for premium vehicles. The new organization will focus on driving forward the aggressive growth plans for all three marques, enabling each company to better leverage their individual positions within the luxury vehicle market, and providing the resources to support a stronger franchise network.
The new organization will combine sales, marketing, communications, franchise development, distribution, parts and customer service. It is effective September 1, 2001 and will be headquartered at the new Premier Automotive Group facility in Irvine, CA. All three companies move into the new Irvine facility from mid-August onwards and will be combining the relocation action with the creation of the new organization. Lincoln and Volvo are scheduled to move into the Irvine facility during September.
Dr Wolfgang Reitzle, Chairman of the Premier Automotive Group, said that strong growth in North America was key to the long-term success of the group's marques. "North America is the largest luxury vehicle market in the world and we are very focused on ensuring we have the right business structure to help realize the full potential of the Premier Automotive Group. Combining our British marques in North America makes great sense for our retailers, customers and investors, while creating an environment where they can grow stronger as individual brands," continued Dr Reitzle.