No easy job moving metal with the VW Diesel Scandal.
Volkswagen of America (VWoA) today announced the appointment of Ronald Stach, 48, as Vice President, Sales for the Volkswagen brand, effective immediately. The change comes as the dirty diesel scandal continues. The U.S. arm of VW Ag – in court in Germany now facing shareholder lawsuits – is also facing numerous legal and regulatory actions. In this new role, which comes at a difficult time, Stach will direct activities of the U.S. sales regions, retail programs and fleet and re-marketing. Year-to- date VW brand sales in the U.S. have declined 14% in a booming vehicle market that grew 3.5%.
Stach will report to Mark McNabb, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America. He succeeds Mark Barnes, who has assumed responsibilities as Chief Operation Officer at Bentley of the Americas (sales off -51% ytd on a low base), within Volkswagen Group of America.
Stach most recently served as Director, South Central Region for Volkswagen of America, and brings over 25 years of experience in automotive sales, sales leadership, network development and aftersales. Stach holds a degree in Finance from the University of Texas and an MBA from the Olin School.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
