Shanghai (ZXZC)- Changan Auto and Ford Motor announced that Li Hongpeng and Cao Zhenyu were named as president and executive vice president of Changan Ford's new national sales service division, according to Ford China. The appointment will become effective after being approved by Changan Ford's board of directors.

Meanwhile, the new sales service division, as the replacement of the Changan Ford’s existing sales company, will officially come into effect on July 1, 2018 and will directly report to the board of directors.

Li Hongpeng joined Ford Motor in May 2018 as marketing and sales president of the company’s Greater China region. He has 26-year experience in marketing and sales in China’s automobile market, which could help Ford Motor to elevate its brand image in China. Before that, he had worked in Beijing Benz Sales Service Company as senior executive vice president from 2013. During his tenure, he and his team has successfully turned China into Mercedes-Benz’s largest single market worldwide. Besides, he helped the company to build an effective, profitable and sustainable distribution network nationwide and achieve year-on-year sales growth for 59 consecutive months.

Cao Zhenyu also has over 20-year experience in car marketing and services. In 2016, he assumed the office of standing vice general manager in Changan Ford Sales Company. Previously, he had worked in Changan Auto's sedan sales unit and international business unit.

Reportedly, the new sales service division will gradually take over Ford Motor's passenger vehicle businesses in China involving marketing, sales and customer services. Going forward, it will focus on integrating existing sales channels to create a unified Ford brand image in China.