Chrysler Appoints Phil F. Murtaugh CEO -- Asia Operations
Auburn Hills, Michigan (ots/PRNewswire)
-- Reports to Michael M. Manley, Executive Vice President -- International Sales
-- Growth in International Markets Key to Recovery and Transformation Plan
Chrysler LLC today named Philip Murtaugh as CEO -- Asia Operations. In this role, Murtaugh will be responsible for all of Chrysler's Asian operations, including China and India. He will report to Michael Manley, Executive Vice President -- International Sales.
"I can't think of anyone more qualified to lead our business activities in this critical growth region," said Manley. "Phil has a proven track record and we are excited he has joined our team."
"Growth in international markets and leveraging partnerships are cornerstones of the Chrysler Recovery and Transformation Plan," said Thomas W. LaSorda, Vice-Chairman and President.
Murtaugh was executive vice president of Chinese automaker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC). SAIC is China's largest automotive company with sales of 1.3 million vehicles per year. SAIC has over 70 subsidiary companies in the automotive business, including well-known joint ventures with General Motors (GM) and Volkswagen.
Before joining SAIC, Murtaugh served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the General Motors China Group from June 2000 until April 2005. Based in Shanghai, he was responsible for the overall coordination of GM's extensive operations in mainland China and Taiwan. He also was a member of GM's Asia Pacific Strategy Board.
Murtaugh earlier served as Executive Vice President of Shanghai General Motors and General Manager of GM China's Shanghai representative office. He was part of the negotiating team and played a key role in the launch of Shanghai General Motors, GM's largest venture in China.
Since joining GM in 1973 as a General Motors Institute (GMI) student with Fisher Body, Murtaugh held several positions in production, manufacturing, die and metal stamping, and product planning in the United States, Japan and China. These include Director of manufacturing for GM Overseas Corporation -- Japan, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of product planning at Isuzu Motors and President of IBC in Luton, England.
In addition to a bachelor's degree from GMI (now Kettering University), Murtaugh holds a master's degree in industrial management from Stanford University. A U.S. citizen, Murtaugh is married with four children.
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Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2006 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent over 2005. On the heels of the company's record product launch year (Chrysler launched 10 all-new vehicles in 2006), the company plans to extend that streak with eight all-new products in 2007. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Grand Caravan. The Chrysler Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, gave US$23.6 million in grants in 2006. Chrysler is a unit of Cerberus Capital Management.
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