AutoNation names new president

AutoNation has named William Berman, its current chief operating officer, as president of the company, the Fort Lauderdale-based auto retailer said Wednesday.

Mike Jackson remains CEO and chairman of AutoNation.

Berman has 30 years of retail automotive experience, including in the used vehicle and parts and service businesses. Berman has been chief operating officer of the company since 2015. Before that, he led the company’s West Coast region with more than 75 stores and over $6 billion in revenue.

“Bill is an outstanding and exceptional leader, whose proven track record and ingenuity are vital for the next phase in AutoNation’s history. He will continue to lead all operational functions, including the recently announced, AutoNation brand extension strategy,” Jackson said.

AutoNation also announced that Marc Cannon and Donna Parlapiano have been promoted to executive vice presidents. Cannon has been senior vice president for communications and public policy, and chief marketing officer. Parlapiano has been senior vice president for franchise operations and corporate real estate.

In October, AutoNation announced a new strategy targeting used car sales and “no haggle” prices. AutoNation plans to open new stores, AutoNation USA, with five locations in 2017, and another 20 in coming years, for used-car sales and service, and to expand its car repair and maintenance services.

Berman