Nexteer Automotive — a popular automotive parts supplier earlier owned by General Motors has decided to promote Laurent Bresson, its top executive in Europe to chief operating officer. Nexteer, a steering and driveline specialist is now owned by Pacific Century Motors. According to the sources, Laurent Bresson, 40, will start his new job immediately as the Frenchman relocates soon from Nexteer’s European base in Paris to its global headquarters in Saginaw, Mich. Previously the senior vice president and COO of Nexteer’s international division, Bresson will now handle the day-to-day activities at Nexteer’s divisional and product groups. Meanwhile, he will also be responsible for the company’s global sales and will keep some of his European responsibilities. In a statement made by the company, it is said that there will not be a direct replacement for the executive in Europe at this time.

Bresson has a great track record in Nexteer and under his guidance, the firm achieved a record $6 billion worth of new bookings in 2010. Not only this, he also played a key role in the company’s 50 million-euro expansion of its plants in Tychy and Gliwice, Poland.

Nexteer in fact, is a former Delphi Corp. unit bought by General Motors Co. in 2009 and was then sold to China’s Pacific Century Motors in 2010. Previous year, Nexteer reported global sales of $2.2 billion. The products being developed by Nexteer include electric power steering, hydraulic power steering, steering columns and halfshafts. GM, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Toyota and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen are the main customers Nexteer.

“Laurent not only has a proven success record in managing our major customer relationships around the world, but he also has demonstrated his operational capabilities in the European, Asia-Pacific and South American regions. His tireless dedication to the business is a tremendous asset,” said Nexteer CEO Robert Remenar.

via Autonews