Elliott had been acting managing director since the shock departure of predecessor Peter Lambert in October but the change has now been made permanent.

He previously held the same role after joining Chrysler in 1999 as managing director when the Chrysler Jeep import companies were merged into Mercedes-Benz. He is widely attributed as being responsible for the brand's establishment and growth in the UK. Elliott left in 2006 to head up Chrysler's new business in China. "I am extremely glad to come back home to work with the excellent team in Milton Keynes and with our great dealer network," said Elliott. "We have launched 14 new vehicles in the UK in the last two years and this product offensive will continue in 2008.”