Kevin James has been appointed as the new director of Seat UK.

Mr James has worked with the Volkswagen Group for 14 years working in group service, franchise development and finance. He will shortly leave his current position as joint managing director of Volkswagen Financial Services UK and start his new position as Director of Seat UK on April 2, 2001.

Mr James will succeed John Abbott, who has been director of Seat UK since July 1999. Under Mr Abbott's leadership, Seat sold in excess of 20,000 cars in the UK last year, achieving record sales figures for the brand.

After 24 years of service within the VW Group, Mr Abbott is to take up a position with the Wayside Group.