IM Group has merged the Subaru, Isuzu and Daihatsu brands under a single management structure, with Paul Tunnicliffe at the helm.

Lawrence Good, previsously managing director of Subaru and Isuzu UK, has left the business to head up IM Group's only owned dealership Showells in Lye Stourbridge, West Midlands. He will take up the position from April 1.

Tunnicliffe said: “In this uncertain business climate, it is vitally important for the sake of our manufacturers, dealers and staff that we take every opportunity to review our spending levels and reduce costs. This new structure will unfortunately result in some redundancies but at the same time provide us with an opportunity to streamline our operations.

“Although we face tough times ahead, this new structure, and the savings it brings, gives us the best possible opportunity to maximise the potential of all our brands, to the advantage of us all. In particular Subaru’s ongoing product development featuring the new Boxer Diesel, represents a massive source of incremental volume. I am also very keen to continue working closely with the Subaru dealers on how best to exploit it.”

Sam Burton remains as sales director for Subaru and Paul Hegarty becomes operations director for Subaru, Isuzu and Daihatsu.