Kawasaki Motors
Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) announced in early May the hiring of Richard N. Beattie, an
experienced automotive industry executive, to the new position of Chief
Marketing and Sales Officer, reporting directly to Tak Teranishi, KMC
President.
Beattie will be
responsible for marketing, sales and product strategy for all of Kawasaki's recreation and utility products in the United States and Central and South
America. Team leaders Bill Jenkins, Chris Brull, and Shuji
Yamazaki will report to him in his new role.
In addition to
the hiring of Beattie, KMC promoted Jenkins from vice president of sales to executive
vice president of sales and Kris Carter from general manager of corporate operations
to executive vice president of customer services.
Beattie was
responsible for marketing and sales at Jaguar Land Rover North America from
2002 to 2007 before taking over the position of executive vice president of marketing
and sales for Jaguar North America in 2009. He also held the post of chief commercial
officer at Fisker Automotive, one of the first production plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle companies.
Prior to this,
he was VP of marketing, sales, and service at Lincoln Mercury, having risen
through the ranks at Ford both in Europe and the United States, including a posting
as president and CEO of Mazda's North American operations. He brings a solid
management record with premium and luxury automotive brands.
