Ann Durham has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager for Global Vehicles (GV) USA, Inc., the distributor of fuel-efficient, diesel-powered vehicles produced by India’s Mahindra & Mahindra.
Durham, now responsible for company’s overall operations and reporting to GV President John Perez, joined the firm headquartered here January 14, 2008, as vice president, finance and administration.
“Ann’s automotive experience combined with her business acumen is just the right mixture to lead us through the launch next year of the first Mahindra pickup truck,” said Perez. “Durham’s financial and systems expertise in the automotive industry will play a key role in the introduction of Mahindra’s fuel efficient and rugged vehicles to the US consumer.”
Durham, 39, brought automotive experience to GV from her post as chief financial officer for Lotus Cars USA, Inc. There, she was responsible for an overhaul of the financials systems as well as being involved in aspects of the operation, including launch of a new vehicle, sales, marketing, IT, parts, service and warranty.
Beginning in late 2009, Global Vehicles will market two- and four-door diesel-powered pickup trucks, in both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive versions, which are compact in size with the payload and towing capacity of full-size pickups, but the fuel economy of a small automobile. A diesel-powered SUV, with similar characteristics, will follow the pickup.