MERCEDES-BENZ has appointed Gary Savage chief executive officer of the UK outfit’s Milton Keynes operation.

Gary continues with his role as managing director of the cars division.

The new divisional approach to Mercedes sees the company split into three separate business entities: Cars (Savage), Vans (under MD Steve Bridge) and Trucks (Michael Kamper).

At the same time former president and ceo of Mercedes-Benz UK, Marcus Breitschwerdt, has been appointed head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Europe Region after three years in charge of the UK operation.

Gary Savage was appointed managing director Mercedes-Benz Cars in June 2010.  His previous roles include Citroen as md plus a variety of senior management positions in SEAT and Audi.

Breitschwerdt has overseen a 45 per cent increase in car sales since joining the UK in 2011, rising from 75,000 cars annually to more than 108,000 in 2013 – and  breaking the 100,000 barrier the first time.

The trend is likely to continue with the launch of the new Mercedes C-Class in Q3 this year – see 10 things you should know about the new Mercedes C-Class.