Lotus hires Kia Europe’s exec, Jean-Charles Lievens

jean charles lievens lotus

Current Lotus CEO Jean Marc Gales has revealed in a statement recently that Kia Europe’s former European markets expert, Jean-Charles Lievens, has been appointed to develop the automaker’s sales network in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Lievens, who was with Kia from 2002 to 2008, will now be tasked with a mission to “strengthen the network with qualified and professional partners in order to optimise and increase the presence of the Lotus brand in the southern European region,” Lotus said in a statement.

In 2005, Lievens was named an Automotive News Europe Eurostar for his efforts in restructuring Kia’s dealer network, which resulted in an increase in the automaker’s sales in Europe from 90,000 units a year to 275,000 units.

Jean-Marc Gales_CEO of Group Lotus plc and Aslam Farikullah 01_05_14_20p (3)
Jean Marc Gales(left) and Aslam Farikullah(right).

Apart from his tenure with Kia, Lievens was with General Motors for 17 years before leaving to join Volkswagen in France. He also held the position of Toyota Europe’s commercial director in 1998. Between his time at Kia and now, Lievens has continued to provide advisory services on projects via Cap Geyser, his consulting firm.

The company added that worldwide sales of Lotus cars went up by 65% to 226 units in July, compared to the same month in 2013, with the rise in sales a result of increasing demand for Lotus cars in the UK and Germany. It’s also the automaker’s best sales month since March 2011.

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Gregory Sze

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

 

Comments

  • Why cant we have both of them to helm proton?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • jagun kampong on Sep 04, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    65 year old exec?…y Proton n Lotus management has no cronies from bolehland to run the show in an international arena…hahahaha…jaguh kampong again.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 24
    • Crony Max on Sep 05, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Proton mgmt is busy makan kuih, lawatan sambik kongkek, wooing mat minah, and thinking when is the next cuti/mc.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • Jaybond on Sep 04, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    After numerous appointment announcements, we are yet to see an all-new new Lotus model (not including the facelifted Evora/Elise models) post DRB-Hicom takeover.Enough of this & bring on the new model!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • abdullah on Sep 04, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Only Mahathir is obsessed with Lotus.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 14
  • Aragon on Sep 04, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    He looks like the Orc leader from Lord of the Rings

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 7
  • kadajawi (Member) on Sep 04, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    He has a lot of experience with mass market brands and products… maybe they are trying to expand the dealership network so that they can sell Proton cars through that? The focus on Southern Europe seems to make sense. Cash strapped customers (i.e. more interested in affordable cars) from regions that are used to warm weather, which is what Proton has a lot of experience with (just look at their oversized aircon systems). Spanish people will appreciate Proton’s aircon.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • i wud luv 2 hv a lotus!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo (ori) on Sep 04, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    KIA can even hire the entire Audi design team, but they will never be able to build a car that has RV elsewhere in the world and in Malaysia, they cannot be traded in

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 14
    • sam 969 on Sep 05, 2014 at 10:42 am

      Sam can complain always, but will always be the poor faggot who drive a toyota hailat and drink guiness stout at kopitiam boasting which hot gal he bang but truth, he go back to his rumah pangsa sanpeng and tembak cicak every night.

      Work harder Sam, no wonder lu beh kee sek and always spend your time in paultan critics here and there. if only you work smarter and harder, you could have been more successful and live a happier life.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 12
  • lotus should enter mass market car…producing sport cars not enough…let lotus run by well deserved automative experts with broad experience…lotus can go further..I wish to see normal sedan lotus car with real lotus badge..not something lotus inspired or tuned..I mean the real lotus..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Majeed on Sep 06, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    I want to buy Sam Loo n use him for a year…then sell him back to someone else. Let see his price appreciate or not.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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