Mike Colleran departs Saab to pursue "further career opportunities," replaced by Matthias Seidl.
Saab has replaced its top U.S. executive by naming Matthias Seidl interim Chief Operating Officer for Detroit-based Saab Cars North America, effective immediately. Seidl replaces Michael Colleran, who resigned “to pursue further career opportunities,” the maker said in a statement.
Colleran, a former General Motors sales executive, had been Saab’s top executive in the U.S. since the company was acquired from GM by Dutch-based Spyker Cars N.V. in February, 2010.
Jan Ake Jonsson, President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB, said Seidl temporarily takes on responsibility for Saab Cars North America in addition to his current position as Executive Director Global Sales. Saab Automobile expects to announce a new Chief Operating Officer for Saab Cars North America soon, Jonsson said.
Seidl has considerable experience in the United States market, having spent several years as Chief Operating Officer for Volkswagen of America in the late 2000s. Prior to that, Seidl was Volkswagen and Audi’s Executive Director of Sales for the American Region.
“We thank Michael Colleran for his service and assistance in rebuilding the Saab brand in North America and the Saab team wishes him the very best,” said Jonsson.
The shake-up comes as Saab Automobile AB begins reporting growing sales momentum according to its 2010 sales and production figures. In the fourth quarter of 2010 sales increased to 11,448 cars, up 129% compared to the same period in 2009 – though during the final months of ’09 many potential customers were holding back as it appears likely GM would close, rather than sell the company.
Full-year revenue-generating wholesale deliveries increased 15%, year-on-year, to 31,696 cars, on the back of encouraging results in several key markets, including the U.S., Saab’s largest market, the company said.
Saab Automobile’s retail sales totaled 32,048 units, compared to 20,905 units in 2009, an increase of 53%, according to figures released by the company.
“These figures show that Saab Automobile is firmly establishing itself as an independent car manufacturer,” Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars N.V. and Chairman of Saab Automobile said in statement.
After acquiring Saab early last year, Saab had to go through a 6-week production start-up at its main plant in Trollhattan, Sweden, as GM had begun shutting the entire company down. That meant a severe shortage of new 9-5 models as the new company got back into operation.
“One of the largest challenges in 2010 was to restock our dealers around the world to normal levels again, especially in a market like the United States, where you need dealer stock in order to be able to sell cars. For instance, when we acquired the company in February 2010, there were a mere 500 cars left on the ground in the United States. Normal inventory levels in this market should be at 6,000, Muller said.
With stocks now back to normal, Saab officials suggest 2011 sales numbers should be more revealing of actual demand for their new line-up, which includes not only the 9-5 but the recently introduced 9-4X crossover.