Tony Salerno

TONY Salerno, long-time Automotive Holdings Group Ltd executive and more recently the man in charge of the company’s expanding easyauto123 “yellow box” used-car warehouses, has been enticed to a rival dealer group.

In an email to staff, the managing director of DVG, Lou Divirgilio, said Mr Salerno would join the company as chief operating officer.

The move has come as a bit of a shock to AHG. Mr Salerno has held the position of chief operating officer at AHG since 2009.

In August, AHG appointed Mr Salerno as executive general manager of the easyauto123 division, giving him full control of the used-car concept. He previously had a dual role that included overseeing AHG’s New Zealand operations.

In the company’s latest annual report, AHG chairman David Griffiths said: “The board has spent a significant amount of time looking at at issues of industry change, and at succession planning, to identify the people, assets, skills and culture the company will need to succeed in the future.

“An important first step has been the appointment of John McConnell as managing director/CEO, the appointment of Paul Morris as chief operating officer franchised automotive, Simon Ramsay as general manager Trucks and Tony Salerno as executive general manager of our exciting big shed used-car rollout of easyauto123.”

Mr Divirgilio said in his email that Mr Salerno joins DVG “with over 30 years’ automotive experience, incredible passion for the car industry and a strong determination to succeed.

“He is an astute automotive man, with proven sales and operational expertise, strong working relationships with manufacturers, financiers and suppliers, and is incredibly results-driven.

“He is keen to start working with our staff to achieve DVG’s operational and business partner KPI’s, and also assist in the strategic planning of our future growth.”

Mr Divirgilio said the appointment of Mr Salerno was discussed with the owner of DVG, IDOM Inc. He said part of the future plan for DVG included expansion outside of Western Australia.

He said the president of IDOM, Mr Yusuke Hatori, was “very happy that someone of Tony’s calibre has joined the IDOM/DVG group”.

“Mr Hatori reiterated to me that IDOM is strongly committed to the Australian market and he is confident Tony will be able to harness the resources and capabilities of IDOM and DVG to create a strong sales culture and operational infrastructure that will help IDOM and DVG continue to grow our new car presence across Australia.”

Prior to joining AHG, Mr Salerno was a director and dealer principal of Midland Toyota and general manager for Kalamunda Toyota in Perth.

He is expected to take up his position with DVG in January.

By Neil Dowling