VW of America Hires Maserati Exec as COO

Volkswagen AG's U.S. unit has hired Mark McNabb, CEO of Maserati North America, as chief operating officer for the VW brand, effective May 1.

In his new job, McNabb will be responsible for U.S. sales as the marque aims to boost volume to 800,000 vehicles by 2018 from 438,100 units last year. He will report to Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America.

McNabb worked at Nissan for 20 years, becoming senior vice president of North American sales and marketing before joining Mercedes-Benz in 2005. He went to General Motors 2008 as head of its premium brands: Cadillac, Hummer and Saab brands. Part of that job entailed finding a buyer the latter two.

McNabb took the job as head of Maserati North American operations in 2009. During his tenure, the brand posted U.S. sales gains of 49% in 2010, 22% in 2011 and 18% last year.