Geoff Smyth, who joined Fiat Auto Ireland in 1979, has returned to Ireland to head up the organisation as managing director.

A native of Dublin, Smyth left Ireland in 1987 to take up a position at Fiat Auto’s headquarters in Turin, Italy. He gained wide experience in the automotive business across Europe, having held a number of senior positions in Italy and has been managing director of the company’s operating units in the Netherlands, Sweden, Greece and the UK.

He will be responsible for the development of the Fiat and Alfa Romeo businesses in Ireland.

"I am very confident that we will enjoy a period of strong growth of our business in Ireland. The strategic restructuring plans of the company are already bearing fruit and over the next 14 months we will be introducing some exceptional new products to the Irish market. With these new products and an expanded dealer network we will deliver to our customers the kind of experience they expect and fully deserve from our brands." he said.