What, his Chinese is not good enough for a permanent position?
Volvo Cars of North America today named Tony Nicolosi acting president and CEO. Nicolosi, 53, who currently serves as President and CEO of Volvo Car Financial Services U.S., replaces John Maloney, who left Volvo. Nicolosi will continue in his role with VCFS in addition to his new duties for VCNA. A permanent successor at Volvo Car North America president and CEO will announced later, according to the struggling Chinese-owned automaker.
VCNA reported U.S. sales of 4,188 units, a -15.9% decrease versus September 2012 in an overall market that was off -4%. Year-to-date sales are down -7% during the first nine months of 2012 compared to a market that grew by 8%.
“Tony has been with Volvo for 26 years, has a keen insight into the business operations and is a strong and enthused leader,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service, Volvo Car Group. “As our largest market globally, VCNA’s momentum and success in the U.S. is vital to a larger transformation taking place at Volvo.”
Volvo claims that Maloney was asked to consider a senior role in Europe, which he declined for family reasons. “We would like to thank John for his tremendous contributions over the last 14 years with the company,” said Visser.
VCNA also announced that Greg Swetoha, Executive Vice President of sales operations, has also “elected” to leave Volvo. The three regional vice presidents will now report directly to Nicolosi.
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.
