• Brandweek, Tuesday, June 20, 2006 12:45 PM

Volkswagen has a new marketing director, and he comes from a sister company with products that are decidedly more upscale than a Beetle. He is David Goggins, a former marketing executive for Bentley Motors, who will be Volkswagen's director, product and marketing strategy effective July 1. In his new role, Goggins "will ensure that Volkswagen's positioning, pricing, product attributes and launch activities meet the needs of the market and the company," the company said. Goggins joined Volkswagen-owned Bentley in 1999 as director, global marketing and product strategy, and was part of the team putting together the launch of the Continental GT and Continental Flying Spur. He leaves as marketing and communications manager. Volkswagen is doing well this year in the U.S.--sales up nearly 24 percent through May--and its improved market performance can be attributed in part to some key hires, including last year's appointment of Kerri Martin, former BMW Mini executive, as director, market development.

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