Vauxhall Motors has appointed former Toyota, Renault and Volkswagen marketing and sales professional Patrick Fourniol as its new marketing director.

Fourniol will take up his new post on July 23 and joins the Luton-based, PSA Group-owned car manufacturer from Toyota in the UAE (Dubai), where he was general manager for distributor operations.

Vauxhall said that its new recruit has held various senior marketing and sales roles for Toyota, Renault and Volkswagen in France, Germany and Belgium, adding that he is expected to “bring a wealth of experience in several key dimensions to support Vauxhall Motors’ recovery”.

Among Fourniol’s areas of specialist experience are brand enhancement, customer centric innovation and accelerating digitalization, it added.

Fourniol said: “I’m delighted to be joining this great British brand at this exciting time. I look forward to playing my part in the strategic PACE! plan that’s underway to restore financial fundamentals and enhance sustainable competitiveness and growth.”

Stephen Norman, group managing director Vauxhall Motors and Opel Ireland, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Patrick to our company.

“Having started his marketing career in sales forecasting and research, and having taken full responsibility for product marketing and marketing communications, Patrick is one of the few top-level automotive professionals who can genuinely claim 360-degree Marketing management experience in our industry.

“I am sure that, with this extensive experience and knowledge, he will make significant contribution to our Brand’s renewal.”