PORSCHE has appointed Dr Kjell Gruner as president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, replacing Klaus Zellmer who has returned to Germany as sales, marketing and aftersales director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

Dr Gruner (53) is currently Porsche’s chief marketing officer and global vice-president of marketing.

Porsche AG executive board member for sales and marketing, Detlev von Platen, said Dr Gruner has made a notable contribution to shaping the global development of the Porsche brand, most recently with the exceptional launch of the Porsche Taycan.

“As a long-time Porsche colleague and brand professional, his experience will be extremely valuable for the positive development of the Porsche brand in North America,” he said.

Dr Gruner studied in Germany and the US and moved to Boston Consulting Group before joining Porsche in 1999, where he worked within several departments. He has also been managing director at Porsche Smart Mobility GmbH.

In 2004, he joined Daimler AG, most recently as director of strategy for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

He returned to Porsche AG in 2010 as chief marketing officer. Dr Gruner will start his new role with Porsche in Atlanta on November 1.

By Neil Dowling