Dean Evans named Subaru's chief marketing officer

Subaru of America today named a new chief marketing officer, rebuilding its executive team after two top executives left this year to work for competitors.

According to KHABAR KHODRO, Dean Evans, chief marketing officer at Dealer.com, an automotive Internet marketing company, becomes Subaru's chief marketing officer on Sept. 7.

Evans will remain at Dealer.com until sometime in mid-August, a company spokesman said.

Evans previously was director of global customer relations and e-business strategy for Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin when the brands were part of Ford Motor Co.

Evans replaced Tim Mahoney, who left in spring to become executive vice president and chief product and marketing officer for Volkswagen of America.

Evans has 23 years of automotive experience and spent half of it on the digital side, according to a Subaru statement. "Evans brings to Subaru a strong focus on this area as well as a deep understanding of how digital and social outreach are strong drivers for today's consumers," Subaru said.

Subaru's U.S. sales of 263,820 units last year was a record for the brand. So far this year Subaru sold 132,049 vehicles through June, up 5 percent over the same period last year in an overall market that has risen 13 percent. Subaru executives said they expect 2011 to be the brand's second-best year despite a loss of production because of the Japanese disaster.

Before the March 11 earthquake struck Japan, Subaru predicted it would beat its U.S. sales record set in 2010.

Subaru outperformed the U.S. market during the recession. It was one of only two brands to report a sales gain in 2008 and one of three to achieve a sales increase in 2009, along with Kia and Hyundai.

"Dean brings extensive experience in marketing communications and will help us focus our efforts to bring new customers to Subaru as we look to continue the success we have enjoyed over the past several years," Tom Doll, Subaru of America COO, said in a statement.

Evans will help Subaru launch its redesigned Impreza compact that goes on sale this November, the company said.

In May, Subaru appointed Bill Cyphers senior vice president of sales. He replaced Tim Colbeck, who left Subaru to become president and COO of Saab Cars North America.