mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Holden Boss Dave Buttner Steps Down Amid Slowing Sales

Holden chairman and managing director Dave Buttner has stepped away from the job amid a steep decline in sales. Buttner, a former Toyota executive, joined General Motors‘ Australian brand just 16 months ago.

Taking over Buttner’s job in the interim will be director of Holden sales, marketing and aftersales, Kristian Aquilina. A 22- year veteran of the company, Aquilina has held numerous executive roles within Holden and previously served as the managing director of Holden New Zealand from 2015 to mid-2018, before returning to Australia to lead the brand’s marketing efforts.

Holden sales are down 26.6 percent so far this year, significantly outpacing the Australian market slowdown of eight percent. The brand has also experienced its some of its lowest monthly sales results in its 71-year history in 2019. Additionally, September was the first time its monthly sales results have dipped below 3,000 units, with the brand moving just 2,863 vehicles throughout the month.

Buttner joined Holden as it began to focus more on its ute (that’s a pickup truck, for us North Americans) and SUV business, though the shift has been slow to yield any meaningful results. In a statement, Buttner said “Holden’s focus remains on getting onto the consideration list for SUV and LCV buyers in Australia and New Zealand,” and said the brand has “made significant progress in getting the fundamentals right” to enact this change.

“Now is the right time for me to depart the business, with a strong team in place, to be led by Kristian,” he added.

Kristian Aquilina

GM’s senior vice president for International Operations, Julian Blissett, also thanked Buttner for his service throughout his brief tenure – which was one of the shortest executive tenures in the company’s history.

“Dave’s experience and professionalism have been significant assets for Holden since his appointment in 2018,” said Blissett. “Not only has he led critical work, he has developed a highly credentialed leadership team, enabling an orderly transition.”

Aquilina will remain focused on Holden’s transition toward utes and SUVs and said his focus will be “on providing continuity around the execution of our plans, ensuring the team at Holden, including dealers and partners, continue to focus on our customers.”

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Holden news and 24/7 GM news coverage.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. It’s tough because GM won’t provide a proper car-line for Aussies, they don’t want a Malibu.

    Reply
  2. Guess he doesnt want to be left Holden the bag on this one.

    Reply
  3. Spark – gone.
    Astra – gone.
    Trax – updated 1st half 2020, no RHD – going.
    Equinox – updated 2nd half 2020, no RHD – going.
    Commodore – gone.
    Arcada – gone (production of the Holden model ended in August).
    Colorado/Trailblazer – final update first half 2020, then ?……

    GM _ Cutting our way to Growth !

    Reply
  4. Roger Smith lives on as Mary Barra.

    Reply
  5. Sorry but I can’t help myself, just read this on FB

    David Rowley difference is they offered people half decent alternatives. Holden promised kardashians and forget to tell the owners it was “Bruce” in a dress

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel