Holden chief moved offshore
Mr Devereux, the figurehead for Holden during the latest rounds of industry funding talks, was on Friday appointed vice-president of sales, marketing and after-sales in GM's consolidated international operations division.
The promotion, which starts next month, will involve Mr Devereux relocating to GM's offices in Shanghai to oversee operations across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
It leaves Holden without a managing director in Australia from January next year (he will be working remotely for the last two months of the year) but the company will begin the search for a replacement in the coming weeks.
At least one senior industry source has been aware of Mr Devereux's looming departure for some time but the timing still comes as a surprise, given Holden's negotiations with the government.
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said Mr Devereux's appointment could disrupt the talks.
"I am very disappointed with the timing, but that disappointment's not with Mike, it's with GM," Mr Macfarlane said. "The reality is that it's not going to affect my timing, it might make things a little bit more difficult for me but I've got to produce an outcome by June next year and I've just got to proceed anyway. I've just got to get on with it."
Mr Devereux plans to "shuttle" between Shanghai and Australia. The Coalition has called on GM to delay a $1 billion co-investment in its Australian manufacturing operations until after a Productivity Commission review of the sector.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
General Motors promoted Mike Devereux to a new international position despite ongoing funding negotiations with Holden. This decision was criticized by the federal government due to its timing, which could potentially disrupt the talks.
Mike Devereux has been appointed as the vice-president of sales, marketing, and after-sales in GM's consolidated international operations division. He will be relocating to Shanghai to oversee operations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Mike Devereux's promotion leaves Holden without a managing director in Australia from January next year. The company will begin searching for a replacement in the coming weeks.
The federal government, particularly Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, expressed disappointment with the timing of Mike Devereux's promotion, as it could disrupt ongoing funding negotiations with Holden.
Yes, Mike Devereux plans to 'shuttle' between Shanghai and Australia, indicating he will maintain some level of involvement with Holden despite his new international role.
The Coalition has called on GM to delay a $1 billion co-investment in its Australian manufacturing operations until after a Productivity Commission review of the sector, suggesting concerns about the timing of Devereux's promotion.
Holden will begin the search for a new managing director in the coming weeks to fill the vacancy left by Mike Devereux's promotion.
Holden may face challenges in maintaining continuity in leadership and navigating ongoing funding negotiations with the government due to Mike Devereux's relocation and the absence of a local managing director.
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