For immediate release
Volvo Canada announces appointment of new President and CEO
TORONTO (September 20, 2005) – Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. and Volvo Auto de Mexico has appointed an experienced and respected executive to lead the Canadian and Mexican markets.
Steve Blyth has been named President and CEO of Volvo Cars of Canada and Volvo Auto de Mexico. Effective October 15, 2005, Steve Blyth will take over responsibility for franchise development, sales, marketing and distribution activities in Canada and Mexico and report to Anne Bélec, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America LLC.
Steve Blyth will replace Paul Cummings, who left the company on August 31, 2005.
In a career that began at the automotive retailer level, Steve Blyth joined Volvo Cars Korea in 1997 as Business Development Manager. Since that time, he has held positions of progressively increasing responsibility in diverse and challenging markets around the globe. His management experience includes Vice President, Commercial Operations at Volvo Car Thailand and Director of Customer Service at Volvo Car Taiwan. His most recent position was Managing Director for Volvo Cars Australia and New Zealand since 2003. Steve Blyth’s education and professional training include a Bachelor of Commerce (Law and Economics) and a Bachelor of Arts (Korean) from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia.
For the first eight months of 2005, Volvo Canada has sold more than 8,174 vehicles, an improvement of 9.7 per cent over the same period of 2004. Last year, the company recorded its fifth consecutive year of year-over-year sales growth for the Volvo brand in Canada. 2004 also marked the best year of sales since 1974.
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 43 Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The company’s product range includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon, the S60 sports sedan, and the completely redesigned S40 sports sedan and V50 sportswagon. For buyers looking for more rugged versatility, the Volvo XC-line of vehicles that includes the XC70 and the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle.
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