Joe Eberhardt becomes the new JLR CEO in the US effective immediately.
With competition in the car business, growing more intense each quarter, it’s no surprise that front-line marketing and sales executives have become something of an expendable commodity.
This week Chris Perry, a veteran marketing executive who had left Hyundai for a job at General Motors’ Chevrolet Division back in 2010, has handed in his resignation, while both one-time GM superstar Susan Docherty, head of Chevrolet marketing in Europe, and Don Butler, the head of Cadillac marketing, have left the company.
But at least one U.S. automotive marketing veteran is making his return. Jaguar Land Rover has hired Joachim “Joe” Eberhardt to head its U.S. operations effective immediately. Eberhardt has had a series of swings through the U.S. over the past two decades, both with mainstream and luxury brands.
“Joe brings a proven industry track record, and valuable global leadership experience in luxury sales, service and marketing. We look forward to Joe leading our North American team in working with our retail networks to further grow the business and better serve our customers,” said Andy Goss, Group Sales Operations Director, Jaguar Land Rover.
Eberhardt has a broad resume, Jaguar Land Rover noted in a statement, including executive leadership sales, marketing and service roles at Chrysler Group, DaimlerChrysler UK, Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. and Daimler-Benz AG.
He worked as the head of the Chrysler Group’s global and sales organization until late 2006 capping a quick rise through the marketing organization at Daimler and DaimlerChrysler. Since leaving the German maker, Eberhardt has had several different jobs, most recently including a position as an adjunct professor on the faculty of the Stern School of Business at New York University teaching brand strategy.
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In addition, Eberhardt has held senior leadership and advisory positions in the technology, consulting and communications industries, including Boston Consulting Group.
Eberhardt will report to Andy Goss, Group Sales Operations Director, Jaguar Land Rover and will be responsible for JLR’s North American operations including Sales, Service and Marketing in the United States and Canada.
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It could prove a pivotal assignment for both Eberhardt and for JLR considering the breadth of new models the two brands have been launching. Together, the two brands are up 21% in the U.S. for the first 11 months of 2013, though Jaguar has been lagging its British sibling. But it has been gaining momentum with the recent launch of the all-new F-Type sports car — and hopes the U.S. market will dominate global demand when the F-Type Coupe launches in 2014.
“Joe Eberhardt is an outstanding executive addition to Jaguar Land Rover’s global market leadership team heading up the critical U.S. and Canada operations at a time of tremendous growth and opportunity,” said Goss.