Alex Smith is to take over as director of the Volkswagen passenger cars from July 1,  2014, replacing Robert Hazelwood who is leaving the company.

Smith is currently director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, a position he has held for the past two and a half years.

Prior to that, and since joining the Volkswagen Group in 2007, he been head of retail operations for Volkswagen passenger cars and head of group parts operations where he was responsible for the Trade Parts Specialists network.

Smith has also worked for Ford and Kia in operations, fleet, aftersales, planning and marketing roles.

Hazelwood has been director of Volkswagen since May 2012 and has worked for the Volkswagen Group since 2005.

A successor for Smith at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand will be announced in due course.