Zotye Adds U.S. Marketing Execs

Chinese carmaker Zotye Automobile International Co. has hired industry veterans Jan Thompson and Susan Bland Norton to lead the company’s marketing efforts in the U.S., where it aims to launch sales next year.

Thompson (pictured) will serve as senior vice president of marketing for Zotye USA and parent HAAH Automotive Holdings, which is the Chinese company’s U.S. distribution partner. Her appointment is effective March 1.

Thompson, who most recently was a senior vice president for Paris-based Ipsos research, has held executive marketing in North America for three Japanese carmakers: Mazda (1989-1994), Nissan (2004-2007) and Toyota/Lexus (1984-1089). She will remain on the board of directors at Auto Web, an automotive media and marketing services company. Thompson previously held leadership roles at media giant Omnicom, Advanstar Communications and Callaway Golf.

Norton becomes vice president of marketing, effective immediately. After starting at her family’s Cadillac dealership in Houston, Tex., Norton worked for Mazda and Chase Auto Finance. She most recently was account director at ES3 in Fountain Valley, Calif., an automotive marketing and communications firm.

Last month Zotye named its first 10 dealer groups in the U.S. The company’s strategy includes online sales and setting “no-haggle” pricing it claims will be as much as 20% lower than rival models in the U.S.

The first Zoyte vehicle in the U.S. is expected to be an updated version of the T600 crossover, which bowed in China in 2013. That model sells in China for $11,700-$20,200.