Its been a challenging period for many car brands in Australia, with the vast majority of brands relocating local manufacturing arms overseas. Renault ceased manufacturing in Australia in 1981, and, following the formation of the RenaultNissan Alliance in 1999, returned to Australia in 2001. Under the leadership and guidance of Managing Director Justin Hocevar, Renault Australia is finding its place within the market and stepping up to take on the big names in the automotive industry.
I joined Renault Australia in the role of managing director in September of 2010 states Justin. Prior to that, I spent over 12 years with BMW Group Australia, where I enjoyed a number of different roles during my tenure. My final and most noteworthy role at BMW Group prior to my departure was general manager for the Mini brand in Australia. Before taking over the Mini brand, I also enjoyed a period working in the BMW motorcycle division as national sales manager. Preceding my time in the automotive industry, I worked in a boutique advertising agency based in Sydney called Marshall Cutting, where I assumed the responsibility for the BMW account.
I grew up in regional Victoria, and I was very passionate about cars, motorcycles, and all things automotive. Many years later, I find myself passionately entrenched in the automotive industry. Also, having lived abroad in China, Japan, and the UK, I was pretty determined to work for a multinational. The culmination of my interest in motoring and mobility also fuelled one of my greatest personal challenges: a one-year overland journey from England to Australia by motorcycle.
