GM Shakes Up U.S. Sales Management—Again

General Motors Co. says it will again restructure its executive team for American sales. This time company has promoted Alan Batey, currently U.S. vice president of Chevrolet sales and service, to the newly created post of corporate vice president of U.S. sales and service.

GM says the changes reflect the importance of its rollout through 2013 of new and refreshed cars and crossover vehicles. The company has offered a similar rationale for many of its frequent shakeups of U.S. sales and marketing management since mid-2009.

As the company's top U.S. sales executive, Batey will report to Mark Reuss, president of GM's North American unit. Before joining Chevy in 2010, Batey was chairman of the company's Holden unit in Australia. He also held senior management jobs in Germany, South Korea and the U.K.

Don Johnson, who has been U.S. vice president of sales operations, will replace Batey at Chevy. Kurt McNeil will leave his job as head of Cadillac sales to succeed Johnson. Chase Hawkins, now head of Cadillac sales in the Northeast, will replace McNeil.

GM also appointed Ed Peper, the former Cadillac sales boss who has been general manager of fleet and commercial operations since January, will fill the vacant post of U.S. vice president for fleet and commercial sales.

Johnson, Hawkins, McNeil and Peper will report to Batey. All the moves are effective June 1.