LOS ANGELES — Kia Motors America named Invoice Peffer chief working officer and government vp after serving as vp of gross sales operations since July 2017.

Peffer, 50, will lead all customer-facing capabilities within the U.S., Kia stated in an announcement, together with gross sales, advertising and repair. He’ll report back to Sean Yoon, president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors North America.

The appointment is efficient Jan. 1.

“In essentially the most tough of circumstances, Kia’s U.S. gross sales have outperformed the business all through 2020 underneath Invoice’s management,” Yoon stated within the assertion Thursday. “This promotion is nicely deserved, and with 5 all-new and considerably redesigned autos slated for introduction in 2021 Invoice will play an more and more essential position within the progress and maturation of the Kia model.”

Previous to his arrival at Kia in July 2017 to steer gross sales, Peffer had been president and COO of New England dealership group Balise Motor Gross sales in West Springfield, Mass.

Earlier than becoming a member of Balise, he had a 10-month stint as Cadillac’s head of gross sales after leaving Nissan Australia as CEO. He has additionally labored for Ford Motor Co.

In June, Kia Motors America introduced that unit president Michael Cole was leaving the model and taking a place as CEO for Hyundai Europe. Kia and Hyundai share a mum or dad firm, Hyundai Motor Group. On the time of Cole’s departure, Kia stated the president publish can be assumed by Yoon.

Kia additionally stated Thursday that Russell Wager has been promoted to vp of selling and can report back to Peffer. Wager, 55, has been director of selling operations at Kia Motors America since July 2019. Beforehand, he was vp of selling at Mazda North American Operations.

“Russell has instilled new power into Kia’s U.S. advertising actions and performed a major position in driving extra first-time Kia consumers to our showrooms,” Yoon stated.

Kia has been one of many best-performing manufacturers throughout the coronavirus disaster.

By means of the primary 9 months of the yr, U.S. gross sales at Kia slid 7.6 % in contrast with the business common of 18 %. Kia notched a 12 % gross sales acquire in October and a drop of simply 5 % in November regardless of three fewer promoting days in contrast with November 2019.

“Underneath Peffer’s management as vp of gross sales operations,” Kia stated,” KMA is on the cusp of reaching the best retail gross sales complete in firm historical past via the event of a constant and sustainable partnership with the seller community.”