Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Stephen Odell as senior adviser of the company and president of its Mazda Motor Europe subsidiary, succeeding Jan Brentebråten who will return to a new role with Ford of Europe.

John Mendel, Ford of Britain marketing director, will take up the position of executive vice president, sales and marketing, customer service and parts, Mazda North American Operations.

The appointments are effective from January 1, 2002.

David Thomas, Mazda Motor Corporation's senior managing director, marketing, sales and customer service, said: "Mr Odell has played a key role in turning around our business in North America. He takes over a much stronger Mazda Motor Europe, which has gone through a complete re-organisation under Mr Brentebråten's leadership and is now positioned for future growth. We now control almost 80% of our volume through our own national sales companies and we're already starting to reap the benefits. Steve will build on these stronger foundations to deliver further successes for Mazda in the future."

Mr Odell was vice president and chief operating officer for Mazda North American Operations, where he was responsible for the company's U.S. sales, marketing, customer service and parts operations.

Mr Brentebraten will head Ford's newly-created division overseeing operations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. His title is Scandinavian region director and managing director Ford Sweden. (December 7, 2001)