Cadillac has appointed former Holden boss Kristian Aquilina to the role of Managing Director, Cadillac International Operations and Cadillac Middle East.
Aquilina, who has been with GM for more than 20 years, will lead Cadillac’s strategy and vision for all of the company’s operations outside of North America. In addition to the United States, Mexico and Canada, Cadillac currently sells vehicles in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, South Korea and Japan.
Kristian Aquilina
Aquilina was named the interim managing director of Holden in late 2019 after former brand boss Gary Buttner stepped down from the role due to declining sales. General Motors decided to axe the Holden brand shortly after, with Aquilina leading GM Australia and GM New Zealand’s transformation amid the introduction of the General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) brand.
The longtime GM exec was rumored to be in the running for the lead role at Cadillac International Operations after he stepped down from his role as Holden Managing Director on November 1st, but GM had yet to confirm the appointment before now.
“I am thrilled to take on this new journey with Cadillac and work with an incredible team across continents,” Aquilina said in a prepared statement. “This is such an exciting time for Cadillac as it continues evolving from a brand level. Our product strategy is in a transformation phase and I look forward to how we can further develop our dealer network and customer experience to match. The automotive world will change beyond recognition this decade, and Cadillac will most certainly be at the forefront. I couldn’t be more excited about it.”
Aquilina will replace Christian Soemmer in the role, who has been appointed as President and Managing Director Strategic Markets, Alliances and Distributors in Seoul, South Korea.
In addition to his vast leadership experience with GM, Aquilina also holds a Bachelor of Arts from RMIT University, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Melbourne Business School.
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Comments
Looking forward to seeing developments with EV autos in future,
G L. we all know how that Holden deal worked out.
Mr. McEachern;
You write:
” …..will lead Cadillac’s strategy and vision for all of the company’s operations outside of North America. In addition to the United States, Mexico and Canada, Cadillac currently sells vehicles in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, South Korea and Japan.”
Cadillac also sells vehicles in China too, if I’m not mistaken.
Does Mr. Aquilina have responsibilities there as well?
Megeebee, good catch and good question. Cadillac is a huge seller in China.
Oh no a Woman! Us men really are doomed.
/sarcasm
Just another fool spinning the same old line about transforming the brand blah blah etc he didn’t do Holden any good, GM needs to clean out the university educated deadwood and get some real car guys in running the show
I’m excited for GM. They have the talent and the momentum to move mountains.
Cadillac doesn’t sell it’s cars in Europe. Offering one model for sale (XT4) in 20 dealers in the whole continent doesn’t equal selling. Cadillac Europe is a parody of car distribution.