Felix Weller, currently Vice President of Cadillac Europe, Russia, Middle East and Israel, has been reassigned by GM’s luxury brand to the position of Global Director of Cadillac Dealer Network Development. Effective April 1st, the assignment represents the creation of a new position within the Cadillac leadership team.
Despite the global scope of Weller’s new position, he will report to Rory Harvey – Vice President of North America Sales, Service and Marketing. By comparison, Weller reported directly to the Cadillac president, Steve Carlisle, in his prior role.
“With Felix we gain an internationally seasoned expert in the field of retail and dealer network development. In this pivotal role he will be instrumental in taking Cadillac’s physical brand representation as well as our customer journey to the next level globally,” said Harvey in a statement.
The successor for Weller’s prior role will be announced at a later time.
Weller originally joined General Motors in 2014 as a regional director of sales and marketing for Cadillac in the Middle East. He took the post after serving as a director for Audi in the region. In that position, he was responsible for separating Cadillac’s operations from other GM activities in the region, while also developing the Cadillac dealership network with standalone locations that focused specifically on the luxury brand. A year later, he was appointed to the position of Managing Director, Cadillac Middle East.
Cadillac Dresden – the first European dealership using the brand’s new corporate identity
After two years in that position, Weller was appointed Vice President, Cadillac Europe in September 2016. With the exit of previous Cadillac president, Johan de Nysschen, and the appointment of Steve Carlisle as Cadillac president in 2018, Weller’s functions were extended to Russia, Middle East and Israel.
Cadillac says that during Weller’s nearly three years at the helm of its European division, “the organization has undergone a fundamental change.” For example, it developed from a regional distribution center to an independent sales organization while achieving a 36 percent increase in sales volume. That percentage might sound impressive, but we must note that we’re still taking about only several hundred sales per year, if that.
Cadillac Dresden
Cadillac lists Weller’s achievements in Cadillac Europe as the introduction of the brand’s new global corporate identity in the region, the introduction of premium mobility service BOOK by Cadillac, and the opening of the first European dealership with a new, Cadillac-specific design and showroom. The Cadillac Dresden dealership opened its doors on April 14th, 2018 in Dresden-Kesselsdorf, Germany.
Cadillac Dresden
Weller brings to his new post ample global experience in sales operations, particularly when it comes to automotive luxury brands. He kicked off his career with a 10-year-long stint at Mercedes-Benz, where he was responsible for financial control and sales management functions, as well as several responsibilities in foreign markets, including the Middle East, Russia and Southeast Asia. He then joined Audi in 2007, where he worked for seven years. 2019 will mark his fifth year at Cadillac.
Stay tuned to GM Authority as we bring you the latest Cadillac news.
Comments
What, GMA actually has a story on a WHITE GUY? Not a woman or “super amazing utterly amazing amazing super wonderful minority”?
Of course they tried hard to hide him by using a pic of him far away from the camera and not the typical close-up female managers always seem to get on GMA. The Caddy is larger on purpose.
I think ‘just sayin’ is overthinking things a little bit…yes, GM has taken a very strong stand in terms of diversifying its senior leadership roster, but anyone who would infer that GM isn’t looking at the best candidates, or that GM Authority is somehow pandering as a GM loyalist, is misguided. I don’t know Felix, but recognizing that he was a part of Audi’s growth, makes me guess that Cadillac/GM wants to keep him because he’s an accomplished automotive leader. Likewise,
It once was get the best person for the job and as an employer that’s all I care about. We don’t care whether you’re from Mars, if you move our needles in the right direction you’re a star!
That said, Felix needs to improve the dealers customer service especially at Cadillac. I’ve had multiple Mercedes and one Cadillac and the difference is clear. Caddy is simply stuck in the 70’s where as MB customer service is superb. I was extremely disappointed w/Caddy Cust Svc. I took my car in for a recall (one of many) and the car was given back to me absolutely filthy. They had to take the dash off (glad I only leased it as I imagine it rattles terribly now…) and the entire interior looked like a homeless person had been living in it. I spend good money on a luxury car and they treat it like that and return it to me like that? They either just didn’t care or they are stupid and arrogant…. I’d say all the above…