BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG), an international automotive
retailer and exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo through its
wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor LLC ("smart USA"),
announced today that Jill Lajdziak has been named President of smart
USA. In this role, Lajdziak will assume day to day operations for the
smart brand in the United States.
Lajdziak has over 30 years of progressive automotive experience,
including expertise in brand development, product marketing and customer
satisfaction. Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske said, "As we
look to enhance the position of the smart brand, Jill's background and
experience will help us reinvigorate the dealer network and bring a
greater awareness to the smart brand."
Previously, smart USA was managed by Dave Schembri. Schembri will
transition into Penske Automotive Group's retail operations. Penske
continued, "I would like to thank Dave for his efforts over the last
three and a half years with smart USA. His contributions were
instrumental in helping us bring smart to the United States."
About Penske Automotive
Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (www.penskeautomotive.com)
headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 310 retail
automotive franchises, representing 40 different brands and 25 collision
repair centers. Penske Automotive, which sells new and previously owned
vehicles, finance and insurance products and replacement parts, and
offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it represents, has
160 franchises in 17 states and Puerto Rico and 150 franchises located
outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. Penske
Automotive, through its wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor
LLC (www.smartusa.com),
is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo vehicle and related
parts in the United States. smart USA supports over 75 smart retail
centers in the United States. Penske Automotive is a member of the
Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has approximately 14,000 employees.
smart and fortwo are registered trademarks of Daimler AG.
Source: Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
Contact: Bob O'Shaughnessy
Executive Vice President - Finance
Penske Automotive Group
248-648-2800
boshaughnessy@penskeautomotive.com
Anthony R. Pordon
Senior Vice President
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
248-648-2540
tpordon@penskeautomotive.com