June 10, 2008

New strategy and organizational changes

The functions of sales and marketing and product development at Valmet Automotive will be strengthened to support the new company strategy. The aim is to strengthen contacts with customers and to develop services in product development and project management.

Sales and marketing

Mr. Bernard Girard, Vice President Sales and Marketing, is responsible for the sales and marketing organization. He reports to President Ilpo Korhonen. Customer care responsibilities will be divided between Mr. Girard, Mr. Vesa Korhonen and Mr. Matti Räsänen. Mr. Korhonen and Mr. Räsänen are appointed as Key Account Managers.

Mr. Hannu Berger is appointed as Senior Vice President Business Development. His particular responsibilities are Porsche business development and tasks related to strategy implementation. Mr. Berger reports to Mr. Ilpo Korhonen.

Product development

Mr. Rainer Leucht is appointed as Senior Vice President Product Development. He is responsible for heading the product development and, in line with the new strategy, for developing the product development process to meet the customers' current and future needs. Mr. Leucht has made a remarkable career in Mercedes Car Group's product development. Lately he headed the Maybach product development project. Mr. Leucht reports to Mr. Korhonen.

Mr. Aimo Åhlman, Vice President Product Engineering, is responsible for product engineering projects and engineering cooperation. He reports to Mr. Leucht.