Vauxhall officially welcomes new MD after leadership restructure

Vauxhall has added a newly-created regional operations and sales director role and appointed a new marketing director as it officially welcomed James Taylor as managing director.

Steve Wass takes up the new posting as Phil Douglass takes over from Adam Wood as marketing director following Wood's appointment as Peugeot MD as part of a series of changes across Stellantis’ UK operations.

The changes, including Taylor’s move to the Vauxhall MD role which was announced alongside Stellantis UK’s bold network restructuring plan late last year, are effective immediately.

Stellantis UK managing director Paul Willcox, who recently updated AM on the OEM’s network restructure and move to an agency model, said: “It’s a pleasure to have James continue with Vauxhall as our new managing director.

“Having impressed as acting managing director alongside his B2B duties, it was an easy decision to have him step into the role as a permanent managing director.

“I wish James and the rest of the new management team the best of luck in their new roles and driving the Vauxhall brand forward.”

Prior to taking on the post of acting managing director of Vauxhall more than six months ago, Taylor was B2B director for Stellantis UK, having served as sales and marketing director, and fleet sales and remarketing director at Vauxhall.

He said: “Vauxhall is on a very exciting journey. Transforming into an electric-only brand from 2028 is a significant task for the brand, and I’m excited to keep working with my colleagues towards that goal, and to continue improving our product and servicing offers across the country.”

Wass had been at Peugeot since July 2022, most recently serving as marketing director having held various director and senior roles at Robins & Day.

Although his new role is new to Vauxhall, he takes on the responsibilities of former retail sales director Stephanie Howson, who has become director of customer experience and training for Stellantis UK.

Douglass previously led the product and pricing team after holding various sales and marketing roles within Vauxhall following the completion of an internship with the brand in 2011.