GAZ Group, the Russian van maker and owner of LDV, has appointed Andy Carroll, ex-boss of Chevrolet UK, to head up its international sales division.

He will be tasked with raising sales and boosting more acquisitions for GAZ International outside of Russia.

Carroll resigned from Chevrolet a year ago after heading GM’s reincarnated Daewoo brand since 2002 in the UK.

Carroll said: “I have been responsible for a series of start-ups in my career, taking new ventures from concept through to maturity. The goal of GAZ to double the size of the business over the next five years, with international growth playing a major part, is a unique challenge in the global automotive industry.”

Peter Zolotarev, GAZ Group chairman of the board of directors, said the company was looking to expand the amount of LDV dealers in France, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg Scandinavia and Malaysia.

“It’s very important for us not to focus on LDV’s domestic market, we need to grow internationally,” said Zolotarev.

GAZ acquired LDV last July and has said it will return the specialist UK-based van maker to profit this summer with the help of its Maxus model.

Martin Leach, chairman and chief executive of GAZ International, said: "We are pleased to welcome someone of Carroll's stature to this key role. This marks a significant expansion of GAZ International activities to develop the huge potential for export of the products produced by the GAZ Group in Russia."

GAZ has recruited ex-bosses from Volvo, Ford and Maserati in its senior team. GAZ said attracting elite western chief executives was a major part of its strategic program to transform GAZ into serious international manufacturer.