Porsche China announces new CEO

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai June 13) - Porsche has appointed Deesch Papke as the new CEO of its China branch, Gasgoo.com (Chinese) reported earlier this week. Mr. Papke will replace current Porsche China CEO Helmut Broeker, who will in turn take up Mr. Papke's previous post as head of sales for overseas and emerging markets.

Mr. Papke (pictured above, left), now 51 years old, originally joined Porsche in 2005 as chief of operations for the Middle East and Africa. He has previously worked at Volvo, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz. In his current position, Mr. Papke oversees sales work for Porsche's operations in the Middle East, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Latin America. That role will now be assumed by Mr. Broeker (pictured above, right). Mr. Papke and Mr. Broeker's new assignments will begin on July 1. Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board of Management at Porsche AG, commended the nearly 14 years of work that both Mr. Papke and Mr. Broeker have done in aiding the German manufacturer expand into new markets across the world.

Porsche's sales in the Greater China region, which includes Hong Kong and Macau, have increased sixfold from the 4,856 vehicles sold in 2007 to the 31,205 sold in 2012. China is currently the manufacturer's second largest market worldwide. Porsche plans to add over 30 new dealerships its sales network in the country by 2015.