Edward Butler

FCA Australia has appointed widely-known and well-respected automotive industry executive Edward Butler as director of sales. Mr Butler is an accomplished executive with over a quarter of a century of automotive industry experience both within importers and on the concrete in dealerships

Mr Butler joins FCA Australia fresh from a stint with Audi AG where he joined in 2013 as marketing director for Taiwan. A year later he assumed responsibility for sales and he has since delivered three consecutive years of growth.

Prior to his role with Audi, Mr Butler spent ten years with Ateco Automotive in Australia including time as national sales manager for Kia Australia, and subsequently as general manager for that brand.

Mr Butler also headed up Maserati Australia and New Zealand along with time in charge of Alfa Romeo and Fiat Australia during his period with Ateco. He has direct retail experience having been dealer principal at both Ferrari Maserati Sydney and Parramatta Auto Centre, a large multi-franchise site in Church Street, Parramatta.

Prior to that Butler had spent 14 years working with General Motors across Germany, Korea and the Middle East, before relocating to Australia.

FCA Australia president and chief operating officer Steve Zanlunghi said the appointment of a new sales director was key to taking FCA’s brands to the next level.

“We’ve taken our time to identify the right person,” he said, “One that has a proven track record of developing the retail network coupled with strong dealer relations.

“Edward ticked all the boxes for us – a dealer and customer-focused executive with impressive sales successes and an appetite for opportunity.”

Mr Butler is an Australian citizen of British origin and returns to Australia with his wife and two daughters. He holds an MBA from Sydney Business School and will take up his position at FCA Australia on December 12.

By Daniel Cotterill