Caterham Expands European Footprint With Three New Official Retailers
- By MT Bureau
- June 05, 2026
Caterham has announced the appointment of three new official retailers across Europe, strengthening the brand’s presence in key markets. Caterham Noville in Switzerland, Caterham Barcelona in Spain and Caterham Colmar in France will bring the iconic Seven model closer to driving enthusiasts in their respective regions.
In Switzerland, Caterham Noville joins the Leuba Collection, an organisation known for its dedication to automotive excellence and heritage. Kevin Duffournet, Head of the Collection, will lead his team in providing Swiss customers with expert guidance on the Caterham range along with dedicated aftersales support.
The Spanish expansion sees Hirundo Motors, the team behind Caterham Madrid, launch Caterham Barcelona under CEO Bernardo Bello. The new Catalan showroom aims to grow the Seven’s presence in Spain, deliver the brand’s pure and simple driving experience and serve existing owners with aftersales support.
Meanwhile, France gains Caterham Colmar in the Alsace region, managed by Julien Paques of PJ Sportscars. Leveraging his specialist automotive experience, Paques and his team are well positioned to deliver the pure driving experience for which Caterham is renowned.
Olivier Jouanne, European Territory Manager, Caterham, said, "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Caterham Noville, Caterham Barcelona and Caterham Colmar to our European retail network. Europe continues to be a crucially important market for the brand. By partnering with experienced and highly passionate individuals like Kevin, Bernardo and Julien, we can ensure that our customers receive the exceptional service, expertise and enthusiasm they expect when purchasing a Seven."
Kevin Duffournet, Head of the Leuba Collection (Caterham Noville), said, "We are proud to welcome Caterham within Leuba Collection in Noville and to officially represent such an iconic and authentic British sports car brand in Switzerland. In an increasingly digital automotive world, Caterham remains one of the last brands delivering a truly raw and mechanical driving experience. Our ambition is to develop the brand in Switzerland through a premium customer experience, exclusive events and a true community of driving enthusiasts.
Bernardo Bello, CEO, Hirundo Motors (Caterham Barcelona), said, “After three years operating from Madrid, we are delighted to expand the Caterham brand presence in Spain, starting with Barcelona because of the passion and support from all the Caterham lovers in Spain since we are back in 2023. With this opening, we will be able to offer customers in the Cataluña region comprehensive sales and authorised service together with motorsport and track events. We aim to keep growing our community in Spain by enabling more car lovers the thrill of driving a Caterham and feel first-hand what is like to feel something so pure, simple and fun.”
Julien Paques, Managing Director, PJ Sportscars (Caterham Colmar), said, "We are particularly proud and thrilled to officially represent the Caterham brand in Eastern France and to offer our customers a comprehensive experience, from vehicle sales to authorised after-sales service. Our ambition is to expand Caterham's footprint nationwide – both within our dealership and during enthusiast gatherings, track days or motorsport events. We look forward to sharing with the brand’s enthusiasts the pure joy of driving that makes Caterham legendary."
Cedric Ratinaud Becomes New Global Brand Head Of Nissan Motor Corporation
- By MT Bureau
- August 24, 2026
Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Cedric Ratinaud as the new Global Head of Brand, Nissan.
Ratinaud previously served as the Director of Creative and Campaigns for Global Communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, a role he held from April 2024. Prior to that position, he worked as General Manager of INFINITI Global Communications. His background includes two decades in the automotive sector across communications, marketing communications, and brand management roles.
His career at Nissan spans operations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for Nissan Motor Asia Pacific, operating out of Thailand.
TVS Supply Chain Solutions, Japan’s Sankyu Inc. Ink Strategic MoU
- By MT Bureau
- August 24, 2026
TVS Supply Chain Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan-based Sankyu Inc. to collaborate across supply chain and engineering services.
As part of the agreement, Sankyu intends to acquire a 0.5 percent equity stake in TVS Supply Chain Solutions, subject to regulatory approvals.
The partnership combines TVS Supply Chain Solutions' logistics network in India with Sankyu's engineering capabilities and corporate connections in Japan. Initial operations will focus on serving manufacturing and industrial clients in India, where over 1,400 Japanese companies operate.
Future plans include expanding joint operations into regions across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and additional international markets where both firms hold established infrastructure.
To manage operations under the agreement, the companies will form a joint steering committee with representatives from both organisations to identify operational opportunities and oversee joint initiatives.
R. Dinesh, Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said, “This partnership represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen our capabilities and create greater value for customers. Sankyu's engineering expertise and deep relationships across the Japanese industrial ecosystem complement TVS Supply Chain Solutions' integrated supply chain capabilities, strong customer relationships and market presence. We share a strong commitment to long-term value creation, and together we are well positioned to deliver more comprehensive solutions, support the evolving needs of manufacturing and industrial customers, and unlock new growth opportunities across India and other strategic markets.”
Kimihiro Nakamura, President and CEO, Sankyu Inc, said, "Since our inception in 1918, Sankyu has been dedicated to supporting the progress of the manufacturing sector, underpinned by our core philosophy of valuing our people. We are profoundly honoured to enter into this partnership with TVS SCS, an organisation that shares our philosophy and commitment to the highest ethical standards. Our two companies possess a strong strategic alignment, and by integrating and complementing our respective strengths, we look forward to achieving collective growth in the global market and contributing to sustainable industrial development."
VinFast Elevates India Head Tapan Ghosh To Oversee Operations In Indonesia
- By MT Bureau
- August 18, 2026
Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has expanded the role of its India Chief Executive Officer, Tapan Ghosh, to oversee operations in Indonesia, uniting the company's management structure across both regional markets.
Interestingly, Ghosh becomes Chief Executive Officer for VinFast Operations across both countries, making him the first executive from India to manage multiple markets for the Vietnamese company.
Since joining the Vietnamese brand in 2025 from Hyundai Motor India, Ghosh has managed local manufacturing setups, dealership distribution expansion and product strategies. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the development of a complete knock-down (CKD) assembly operation in Indonesia.
The dual-country manufacturing and distribution setup establishes operational hubs for VinFast across South Asia and Southeast Asia, supporting its strategy to expand production beyond Vietnam.
An Cong Hui Succeeds Li Shu Fu As Chairman Of Geely, Gan Jia Yue Becomes CEO
- By MT Bureau
- August 18, 2026
Chinese automotive major Geely Automobile Holdings has announced changes to its board of directors and executive leadership structure, effective 18 August 2026, as part of its succession planning framework.
Li Shu Fu has resigned as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director to focus on other business commitments. He has accepted an appointment as Honorary Chairman for Life, a role outside the formal corporate governance structure. Li remains a controlling shareholder of the company and confirmed that he has no disagreement with the board regarding his departure.
On the other hand, Executive Director An Cong Hui has been appointed Chairman of the Board. The board cited An's operational experience within the group and strategic alignment with the controlling shareholder entity as factors supporting the appointment. Independent non-executive directors will continue to oversee potential conflict management protocols under Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing rules.
Further board adjustments include the resignation of Li Dong Hui, Daniel, from the role of Vice-Chairman. He retains his seat as an Executive Director. Gui Sheng Yue has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role of Vice Chairman while remaining an Executive Director.
Following Gui's transition, Executive Director Gan Jia Yue has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Gan assumes responsibility for managing the group's operational activities and executing long-term business objectives.

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