A bit of industry news now folks. Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBSM) has appointed automotive financing industry veteran, Mike Ponnaz, as its new Managing Director effective 1 November 2016. He replaces Hilke Janssen, who had helmed MBSM over the past four years.
Mr. Ponnaz, who is of a Swiss-Thai heritage, has a total of 23 years experience in the automotive industry, 10 of which have been specifically in automotive financing, and was previously the Director of Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Thailand. He first started in the automotive industry in 1993, when he joined Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co. Ltd, an importer and assembler of Mercedes-Benz vehicle components, in Thailand. In his first position, he was a project manager for the market introduction of AMG parts and also managed the projected investment for the brand’s motorsports activities in the Southeast Asia region.
Before expanding his career in automotive financing, Ponnaz initially pursued his education in hotel management. He believes his brief but valuable experience in the hotel business has helped heighten his focus on the customer and further inspired him to apply this skill in a different sector. Of course, this is one of those stories that tell you that a certification in a certain field is just a stepping stone. You could have read law and end up writing automotive stuff. Hey, that sounds just like someone I know.
Press Release
1 November 2016
Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Appoints Mike Ponnaz As New Managing Director
· Mike Ponnaz brings 13 years of experience in the automotive industry and another 10 years in automotive financing to the table.
· Views new appointment as an opportunity to acquire new market insights and offer new perspectives to the Malaysian market.
Kuala Lumpur, 1 November 2016 – Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBSM) has appointed automotive financing industry veteran, Mike Ponnaz, as its new Managing Director effective 1 November 2016.
“MBSM has done very well in building a strong third quarter year-to-date servicing portfolio of RM1.8 billion, which translates into the confidence Mercedes-Benz customers in Malaysia have in our offerings. I look forward to continuing the successful business that out-going MBSM Managing Director, Hilke Janssen, has built up over the past four years,” said Ponnaz.
Ponnaz has a total of 23 years experience in the automotive industry, 10 of which have been specifically in automotive financing, and was previously the Director of Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Thailand. Before expanding his career in automotive financing, Ponnaz initially pursued his education in hotel management. He believes his brief but valuable experience in the hotel business has helped heighten his focus on the customer and further inspired him to apply this skill in a different sector.
Ponnaz has remained close to the Mercedes-Benz brand since the start of his career in the automotive sector in 1993. The journey of his illustrious career began when he joined Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co. Ltd, an importer and assembler of Mercedes-Benz vehicle components, in Thailand. In his first position, he was a project manager for the market introduction of AMG parts and also managed the projected investment for the brand’s motorsports activities in the Southeast Asia region.
A key highlight in Ponnaz’s career was his role in managing a major restructuring exercise in 1998 for the then general distributor of Mercedes-Benz. He was responsible for negotiating contractual matters with all stakeholders involved in the restructure which included creditors, financial advisors and legal councils. Ponnaz’s role as mediator helped the company restructure its operations quickly, thus ensuring its business model remained viable in the years to come.
As the principal of the newly established retail business, Ponnaz led the company to achieve a 30 per cent market share for the sale of Mercedes-Benz cars and a 45 per cent market share of the after-sales business in Thailand. This was the result of a comprehensive sales network encompassing five flagship stores built in just two years which helped boost the overall sales for Mercedes-Benz cars in Thailand.
Ponnaz’s positive contributions impressed the Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Thailand, who proceeded to offer him an opportunity to lead the company’s sales and marketing division. Ponnaz viewed the opportunity as an extremely attractive avenue to build his knowledge and experience along the entire automotive value chain.
Describing his leadership style, Ponnaz views himself as a calm and orderly leader who makes his expectations clear. He considers himself an ambitious team player and firmly believes that team play is less a matter of group work and more of working with a sense of mutual trust. “I’m here to help bring about the best in people, offer empowerment whenever possible, and jointly seek new opportunities for continued growth,” he explained.
“The focus of my responsibilities has changed greatly from what it used to be, and I look forward to undertaking this new phase in my career. Being appointed as Managing Director not only gives me an opportunity to acquire new market insights, but also a chance to offer new perspectives to the Malaysian automotive financing market. In addition to getting acquainted with a new culture and new way of life, I intend to make time to find out where the company stands, who my colleagues are, and how we can work together in coming months and years,” Ponnaz added.
Ponnaz experienced two different cultures in his youth being born in Bangkok to a Thai mother and a Swiss father. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, a joint programme with Kellogg University and Wharton.
About Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia was incorporated in July 2012. It started its financing and insurance services for Mercedes-Benz and Fuso vehicles in November 2012 completing the value chain of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and providing fully integrated one-stop-shop solutions as well as innovative financial services products to the customers. Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia currently employs approximately 60 employees and is part of the Daimler Financial Services group.
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