New job signals closer ties for UAG

In a move denoting closer ties between United Auto Group's 60 dealerships and four in southern California owned by UAG's new chairman and CEO Roger S. Penske, Longo Toyota general manager Kenneth W. Hunt has been named president of the consolidator's Southeast region.

Longo Toyota, the largest-volume Toyota dealership worldwide, is located in El Monte, CA, where Mr. Hunt reported to Gregory Penske, Roger's son and president of the Penske-owned dealership division.

Based in Atlanta, UAG's Southeast region includes 18 dealerships in five states. The region contributed about $850 million to UAG revenues last year on sales of more than 33,500 new and used vehicles.

A graduate of Pepperdine University, Mr. Hunt rose to general manager of Longo Toyota in 1988. He reports to UAG President Sam DiFeo and replaces Tom Hessert as Southeast chief. Mr. Hessert has been reassigned to UAG's new "Super Auto-mall"concept in Turnersville, NJ, as a corporate consultant.

The Penske interest took over ownership and management of UAG last summer and relocated its headquarters from New York City to Detroit.