The Unobvious Ones is a month-to-month take a look at movers and shakers who fly under the radar within the Canadian auto trade.
BRITTANY CRAMER
PLANNING AHEAD FOR ICE AND ELECTRICITY
As Volkswagen strikes deeper into electrification, the automaker wants individuals who perceive the distinctive facets of the brand new autos. Brittany Cramer, considered one of 4 product planning managers at Volkswagen Canada in Ajax, Ont., is chargeable for the upcoming electrical ID7 sedan and ID Buzz van, in addition to the internal-combustion Jetta.
“I help manage what models come to Canada, what features they offer and how they’re priced throughout their entire product life cycle,” the 31-year-old stated. “I also support launching the product in the market, proofing the training and market materials and preparing dealer bulletins and resources to ensure they have the right information.”
Cramer acquired a love of vehicles from her father, who labored within the auto trade.
She earned a level in communications after which studied at Georgian College’s Automotive Business School in Barrie, Ont., 110 kilometres north of Toronto. Her first job was an internship at Nissan Canada as a digital advertising and marketing specialist. After a quick time at an advert company, she returned to Nissan in 2018 as chief advertising and marketing supervisor, launching autos to the general public after product planners had completed with them.
She joined Volkswagen in her present position in 2021. “I wanted to experience something different and see the German side of things, and I started with the Jetta portfolio,” she stated.
The two upcoming ID7 and ID Buzz autos are her first EVs. “Both were created for the global market, so I have to ensure that the team in Germany understands how we need to package the vehicle to be successful in Canada.” That contains the colder local weather, and Cramer makes positive objects corresponding to heated seats are included.
Keeping future merchandise secret can also be a job requirement. “When they finally come to market, it’s such a sigh of relief to share what we’ve been working on for so many years. It’s fantastic to have people see what we’ve been developing.”
JENNIFER COOPER
BUILDING AN EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP
Porsche Canada has lengthy held customer-focused driving occasions at third-party venues, however now it’s constructing its personal web site east of Toronto in Pickering, Ont. Overseeing it’s Jennifer Cooper, 47, supervisor of Porsche Experience Centre Toronto.
“It’s opening in the summer of 2024, and my main focus is overseeing our construction project,” she stated. “I’m the principle level of contact between our design staff, mission
managers, our normal contractor doing the monitor and a building supervisor doing the constructing.”
Once the ability opens to prospects, she can be chargeable for all capabilities corresponding to catering, automobile detailing and on-site workers.
Cooper was at all times fascinated by vehicles and took the automotive advertising and marketing program at Georgian College in Barrie. Her first job was at Nissan Canada, compiling info for service bulletins. Over 9 years, she in the end moved to product planning because the automaker launched the GT-R sportscar in Canada.
Porsche Cars Canada was established as its personal entity in 2008, and based mostly on her expertise with the GT-R launch, she was headhunted to affix because the product planning specialist for the Canadian launch of the 997 (911) Gen II.
“Twelve of us were hired as part of the original team, and I’m the only one left,” she stated. “In 2010, we reorganized the marketing team, and I started in a new role for retail marketing.”
Cooper dealt with advertising and marketing for the Canadian Porsche Centres program when she and a colleague from Porsche AG started it in 2010. Four years later, her colleague returned to Germany and she or he took over his administration position.
“Once [Porsche Experience Centre opens], that’s when the fun begins, because [I’ll] be responsible for all the functions,” she stated. “This is our facility; we manage everything, rather than renting a venue and showing up. This will be in our home in Canada.”
Source: canada.autonews.com