Dieter Knechtel

- Oversee China-wide operations of #1 Porsche retail sales organization in the world with ~$800M annual sales and 550+ local Chinese/expat employees. Maintain P&L responsibility for 8 dealerships in East China and Beijing. - Direct all aspects of project management, government/OEM negotiations, approvals and licenses to conceptual design/construction drawings, contractor bidding, budgeting and cost control, sourcing, construction management, installation of show room and workshop equipment, and closeout.

Managed Bentley brand division in China; engaged in preparations for opening of five Bentley sales/service outlets.

Oversaw ~$190M P&L and 80+ employees in the Porsche Centre Suzhou, one of largest Porsche dealers in the world with sales of ~1,000 units per year.

Oversaw five dealership construction projects in Shanghai region (for BMW, Porsche and VW brands) and assumed operational management after completion (~$430M P&L); managed 350+ employees (local staff/expats).

Promoted to direct traffic panel van and passenger car range for light commercial vehicle business unit; supervised two team members for upgraded product range’s worldwide commercial launch. Acted as interface between regional markets, central engineering departments at French HQ and Barcelona plant to initiate product development. Negotiated product evolutions with strategic partners General Motors (Opel Vivaro) and Nissan (Primastar).

Operating out of regional HQ, managed $500K budget and two employees in designing campaigns for Japan and Australia branches, and private importers in ten APAC countries. Drove business development efforts and acted as primary liaison between regional managers and central engineering and marketing departments. Defined market’s product requests (versions/variants) and liaised with Europe-based engineering teams for customized product development.

Oversaw brand development in Austrian market for top-range models such as Laguna, Espace, Avantime, and Vel Satis; designed strategies for premium lines to build, structure, refresh, streamline and extend model range. Defined commercial and financing promotions for multi-channel communication including TV, print, web, dealers and sales tools; coordinated product training and prepared media briefings.

Key member of business development team measuring financial performance of 25+ dealerships, structuring organizational/operating plans and implementing new showroom and brand designs within the network.

Managed ~$18M balance sheet and provided business support to 50-dealer nationwide network.

Marketing, French