• Brandweek, Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:30 AM

Ian Beavis, Kia's vice president of marketing since May 2005, was let go on Friday along with CEO Len Hunt. Beavis--who was responsible for all marketing, advertising and product planning--is replaced for now by Tim Chaney, who had served as director of marketing communications. Above all, Beavis brought humor to the brand, which was fighting a perception of inferior quality and bland styling. Sales rose 11% to 305,473 under Beavis, per AutoData.

No reason was been given far the joint departure, but sources say the two did not leave voluntarily. Kia dealers were advised of the departure of Beavis and Hunt Sunday at a meeting at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conference in San Francisco.

The move comes several days after Byung Mo Ahn was named to the newly created position of chairman and group CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, the automotive plant currently under construction in West Point, Ga.

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