Porsche Taps Marti to Lead Revamped Canadian Unit

Porsche Cars of North America Inc. appoints Christian Marti to the newly created position of CEO-Porsche Cars Canada Ltd., effective immediately.

Marti, 41, will lead a unit newly structured to address the distinct needs of Canada’s marketing, sales and service and provide it with full importer status, the company says.

“By establishing a stronger and completely devoted organization, we are formally recognizing Canada to be an important market for our brand with unlimited potential for success,” Porsche Cars of North America President and CEO Peter Schwarzenbauer says in a statement.

On the strength of sales gains by its Cayenne cross/utility vehicle, Porsche deliveries in Canada last year rose 6.0% to 1,987 vehicles, from 1,868 in like-2006, according to Ward’s data.

Related document: Canada Vehicle Sales by Company, 2003-2007

Mississauga, ON-based Porsche Cars Canada previously operated under the North American unit, with Canada and the U.S. sharing responsibility for combined regional results. As a separate subsidiary with dedicated leadership, the Canadian group now will exercise complete market and financial accountability as an independent importer. It will report directly to parent Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany.

Marti arrives at Porsche from Ford Motor Co.’s Jaguar brand, where he served as managing director in France. He also has worked at Renault SA and began his career at BMW AG in 1993.

“Christian has a proven track record for success in managing high-end luxury brands,” Schwarzenbauer says.