Unlike his predecessor, Sabsogh won't be responsible for homologation and vehicle delivery logistics, which are to be handled by recently recruited aftersales and logistics director Hamish McCowan. A Kia spokesman said that Sabsogh's role would be “much more network-focussed than before.” “He will be involved with developing the network, developing the people who are good, bringing on the people who are not working as well as we would like and re-focussing on retail customers,” said the spokesman.

He insisted that Kia was “very committed” to having a profitable dealer network. “We want to improve the profitability of the whole network, not just the top 25 per cent, and solus dealers,” he said, adding that the company was keen to develop both its brand image and business.

“We still have a number of open points, particularly in some city centre and large conurbations and we're working hard to fill those places. Yaser will be responsible for properly focussing the network. We'd got the point where some (dealer territories) were overlapping others,” he said.

The spokesman added some bigger dealer groups “were telling us where they wanted to sell cars, rather than us telling them.” Sabsogh is joined by ex-Toyota vehicle marketing general manager Simon Hetherington, who joins Kia as marketing director. The appointments are the latest element of an on going management restructuring programme started last year by Paul Philpott when he took over as managing director.