Chinese Carmaker’s U.S. Unit Lands PR Veteran

HAAH Automotive Holdings, the U.S. distributor for Chinese carmaker Zotye Automobile International Co., has hired Chris Hosford as vice president of public relations.

Hosford spent 20 years at Hyundai’s North American operations, rising to executive director of communications by the time of his departure in 2016. He previously worked at Chrysler and Hill & Knowlton, where he led the Mazda account.

Since early 2017, Hosford has headed his own communications consulting firm. HAAH and Zotye USA were among his clients.

California-based HAAH was founded five years ago by Duke Hale, a former Mazda and Volvo executive, to help set up sales networks for foreign automotive brands. The company formed Zotye USA last year to handle local sales, distribution, parts and service for the Chinese company.

Zotye aims to launch U.S. sales of its T600 compact crossover by early 2021, followed later by a larger crossover and a sedan.