David Buttner stepped in as Holden’s latest chairman and managing director earlier this month and his former employer thinks he’s just the man to fix up the battered Australian company.
Speaking to Motoring, Toyota Australia marketing and sales chief Sean Hanley said Buttner will do a good job at the company and predicted Holden will once again experience growth under his leadership.
“We think he is a great guy and he will do a great job for his new company,” Hanley said. He added that there’s no doubt he’s the person to deal with the steep challenges Holden faces at present.
Buttner was crucial to turning Toyota into a powerhouse in Australia in the early 2000s. Coincidentally, the early oughties was the last time Holden reigned supreme over the Australian market. Hanely said Holden’s strength in the past helped make Toyota a better company with Buttner.
“The only reason we got there was because of strong competition, particularly in the day from the likes of … Holden and Ford with their big strong market shares,” he said.
He hoped that a stronger Holden would also once again make Toyota better and push it to be more competitive. But, he doubts Buttner will simply be able to install Toyota’s way of thinking and culture at Holden, a General Motors subsidiary.
Hanley said the “Toyota way” comes from 80 years of culture and can’t be transported. Perhaps Buttner will be able to replicate it instead.
Comments
Holden should get the best vehicles from GMs line up. That would be a start.
After having worked at Toyota 14 years I have learned “The Toyota Way” is nothing to brag about.
After having worked at Toyota 14 years I learned “The Toyota Way” is nothing to brag about.
He looks old. Washed up. I would of looked more for some one from Elon Musks camp.