Volkswagen names Derrick Hatami as U.S. sales chief

Volkswagen’s U.S. unit stated it is naming a former Hyundai Motor executive, Derrick Hatami, to lead its sales and marketing operation.

Derrick Hatami is joining Volkswagen US as executive vice president for sales and marketing. Hatami had been sales chief for Hyundai’s U.S. unit till recently and had formerly operated at Nissan Motor.

Volkswagen is presenting a series of brand-new SUVs in the United States as demand rises for bigger automobiles and it wants to enhance lagging U.S. VW brand sales.

The automaker started offering its brand-new seven-seat Volkswagen Atlas SUV in May.

Volkswagen Group of North American region CEO Hinrich Woebcken told press reporters in April the automaker is moving focus in the United States from a mainly car brand to a “family friendly” automaker selling larger, U.S.-built SUVs.

VW’s U.S. brand sales are increased 7 percent through May, after dropping 8 percent in last year and 5 percent in 2015 after it was disallowed from offering diesel vehicles as part of its emissions scandal.