He joins Peugeot with more than 20 years experience in the automotive industry, most recently as general manager (:southern region) for national fleet and equipment leasing company Lease Plan Australia.

Prior to that Mr Priest was national sales manager for Saab Automobile Australia having spent 10 years with Nissan Australia in senior marketing, product development and management roles.

Mr Priest also spent time as a dealer principal, following dealer operations and development roles with General Motors Holdens providing him with extensive retail experience.

This broad range of involvement comes after two decades of association with cars, dealers and manufacturers.

Peugeot Concessionaires Australia (PCA) is a division of the Inchcape Motors Australia group, local importer and distributor of Peugeot, Jaguar, SEAT, Subaru and Volkswagen vehicles.

INCREASING POPULARITY

In announcing the appointment Mr Martin Ward, managing director of Inchcape Motors Australia said, "Inchcape is determined to build on Peugeot’s increasing popularity in the small car and prestige markets and Shane Priest's appointment is integral to fulfilling the marque’s potential.

"With a rare mix of wholesale and retail experience, as well as solid management and marketing skills he is the ideal person to drive the Peugeot brand forward in Australia."

In accepting his new role Mr Priest said, "I am delighted to join Peugeot Concessionaires Australia, especially at a time when Inchcape is pulling out all stops to strengthen Peugeors presence in the Australian market.

"The current range is great and I'm looking forward to working with the Peugeot dealer network, the PCA team and the Automobiles Peugeot factory in maximising growth into the new millennium."

BEST-EVER YEAR

Peugeot is on target for its best-ever result in Australia with 1997 year-to-date sales 54 percent up on 1996.

Following the mid-year launch of the second generation 306, and three new 406 models in recent months, Peugeot demand is exceptionally strong.

Nine of the 38 dealers in Peugeors national network have already recorded their best ever annual sales result with two trading months left in the year.

THE INCHCAPE GROUP

Inchcape Motors Australia is a subsidiary of Inchcape Motors International (IMI).

IMI represents 39 of the world’s motor manufacturers in addition to 12 industrial/agricultural manufacturers in 36 countries.

It has exclusive distribution relationships with Peugeot in Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.