Mazda Europe appoints new managing director

Mazda Motor Europe has announced the appointment of Steve Newton to the position of managing director of its new national sales company in Turkey, effective immediately.

Last year, the company transferred responsibility for the Turkish market to Mazda Europe, with the new organisation joining 20 other national sales companies on the continent that account for 90 per cent of all Mazda sales in the area.

Mr Newton has been appointed to lead an executive team, based in Istanbul, that includes public relations manager Mrs Hülya Pamuk, marketing manager Ms Berna Öztürk, sales manager Mr Toros Kardas, after sales manager Mr Cem Binici and finance manager Mr Özgür Öztürk.

The new appointee has over 20 years of management experience in sales, marketing and aftersales within the automotive business.

Prior to joining Mazda, he worked with Ford in Britain and Europe, holding management positions in dealer network planning and development, sales, customer service and marketing.

Five years ago, he joined Mazda Motor Europe as director of retail management, before moving on to become project manager for Turkey within business strategy.