Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM), in concert with Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), has named Miguel Barbeyto to the newly created position of senior director, Mazda Motor de Mexico. In this role, Barbeyto will oversee all sales, marketing, and customer service operations for Mazda in Mexico, working in concert with the company's 48 dealers across the country.

Formerly MMdM's Marketing Manager, Barbeyto's role will now be to build on the success already in place for Mazda's operations in the country, according to the automaker. In less than 10 years, Mazda has gone from a virtual unknown to the eighth-largest company in the country in sales.

"Miguel takes the reigns at Mazda de Mexico at a critical point in its history," commented Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO, on the appointment, "but we are confident in his ability to rise to the challenge. Miguel's predecessor put the framework in place for the company's success in Mexico, and Mazda is uniquely positioned to capitalize fully on that framework, and take the brand, the vehicles and our dealer partners to the next level in the coming years. We wish Miguel the best in achieving these lofty goals."

Reporting to Barbeyto in his new role will be Fernando Molina, director sales & logistics, and Francisco Rangel, director customer service & parts, with Miguel as acting director marketing, PR and product. Barbeyto will report directly to Jim O'Sullivan.

Other departments not mentioned in this announcement – legal, finance, human resources, government relations – will report to their respective facing departments at MNAO, based in Irvine, Calif.