Volkswagen Group UK has named Simon Elliott as director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

His appointment fills a six-month vacancy created when Robert Hazelwood was announced as director of Skoda UK in February.

Elliott is expected to be tasked with building on the current network and registrations – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has previously stated a target of achieving 40,000 units and 17 more sales points by 2011. He will take up the post later this summer.

AM reported on am-online.com at the end of July that Elliott had handed in his notice at Chrysler UK, where he had earned respect among its dealer network.

One Chrysler dealer told AM: “It’s disappointing that Simon has left. It was great news when he came back as he’s always come at the business from the dealers’ side, and recognised the importance of the dealers being profitable.”

Elliott had been managing director of Chrysler UK between 1999 and 2006. He resumed the role in October 2007, initially in a temporary capacity, following the sudden departure of Peter Lambert.

In Elliott’s absence, while he headed Chrysler’s China operation, UK Chrysler and Jeep registrations had slumped, dealer satisfaction plunged to a record low and the retail network’s average return on sales slumped to almost break even.