Steve Zanlunghi will take over from Andrew Humberstone as managing director of Fiat Group Automobiles UK on August 1.

Humberstone is leaving the UK after heading the group for the last five years to pursue other opportunities within the group abroad.

Zanlunghi most recently held the role of director, Chrysler Group Mid-Atlantic regional business center, responsible for all sales, marketing, network development, service and parts operations.

The Mid-Atlantic regional network included 275 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealers, and 20 Fiat brand dealers in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington DC.

Private retail sales in the region averaged more than 120,000 new cars per year and increased 57% during his nearly three year tenure.

Since relinquishing this post in May, Zanlunghi has been working in sales and commercial operations at Fiat’s head office in Turin.

Zanlunghi said: “Every market I’ve worked in has been unique.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and further growing our business in the UK market.”