Kia Focuses On New Dealer Development

Kia is is creating a new stand-alone Dealer Development Department, which will be headed by a board Director, in order to increase focus on Customer Experience and dealership profitability.

Michael Cole, Managing Director, said: "This brand has undergone dramatic growth over the past few years and with the expected future development we have in mind it is the right time to undertake this restructure.

"The good news is that it will mean a number of new roles and the creating of a new main board Director and that individual's focus will be to help us provide even better service and support to our growing dealer network and to enhance the customer experience when they come to the brand - as more and more people are doing as we continue to launch a whole raft of exciting and dramatic new products," he added.

The changes will mean that the existing Dealer Commercial, Academy and Franchising teams will be brought together alongside new functions which are aimed at supporting dealer efforts to enhance customer experiences in both the buying and owning areas.

Kia's Logistics and Dealer Support functions will also be moving from After-Sales and Logistics to the Sales department.

Cole added: "We have seen our network grow from less than 150 to the current near-170 mark and we have plans to develop the network further. We also want to see our dealers improving their profitability and their individual growth as the brand continues to grow. We recognise we need to have a better structure as we continue our development towards a strong and successful position in both retail and business sales and it is a priority for me to ensure we provide the right elements to build our partnership with our dealers.

"And I am happy that when the economy generally is still uncertain we are in a position where we will be able to create new opportunities for our existing people and create new roles that will allow us to bring in new people," he added.