HOLDEN TURNS TO TOYOTA
The executive who helped drive Toyota to 15 years of dominance in Australia is about to become the new boss of Holden — as General Motors attempts to reverse a massive sales slide since the end of local manufacturing. Former Toyota Australia boss Dave Buttner (pictured below) will replace Holden managing director Mark Bernhard from next month, a move likely to send shockwaves through the car industry.
Mr Buttner worked at Ford before embarking on a 30-year career with Toyota in 1987.
He eventually rose through the ranks to become the president of Toyota Australia in 2014, the first non-Japanese executive to be appointed in that role since the 1980s.
Mr Buttner left Toyota after overseeing the closure of the Camry factory in Melbourne last year, just weeks before Holden’s factory shutdown.
He will begin as chairman and managing director of GM Holden next month.
“I am honoured and energised by this incredible opportunity to lead Holden, a company which is part of the fabric of our country,” Mr Buttner said.
“I look forward to working with our people, our dealers and our partners to grow our business and get more and more Australian and New Zealand drivers behind the wheel of more and more Holdens.”
Toyota overtook Holden as Australia’s favourite car brand in 2003 and has been number one ever since.
Holden has since slipped to fifth place in the sales race and earlier this year posted its weakest monthly tally since 1948, when the company was founded.
In a media statement GM executive vice-president and president of GM International Barry Engle said: “Dave’s proven track record and understanding of Holden’s markets — and the company’s potential in those markets — makes him the right leader for this next phase in the evolution of the business.
“GM’s most senior leadership (in Detroit) strongly believe that we have a rare jewel in Holden, an iconic Australian brand that understands the needs of Australian and New Zealand drivers,” said Mr Engle.