BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. - Effective January 1, 2010, Jill Lajdziak will join the smart USA executive team as vice president, sales and marketing. Lajdziak brings 30 years of progressive automotive industry experience to smart and she has a reputation for building brand awareness and customer loyalty through a focus on the customer experience and cultivating a strong dealer network.

In this role, Lajdziak will lead the smart field sales organization, including directing all aspects of advertising, marketing and sales promotion for the smart brand, and will work directly with the smart dealer body to develop business opportunities. Most recently, Lajdziak was the general manager at Saturn.

Chairman Roger Penske said, "I am pleased that Jill has accepted our invitation to join smart as we enhance the position of the smart brand as part of the automotive landscape. With her background building the Saturn organization and her expertise in customer satisfaction, product marketing and brand development, Jill is an outstanding fit, and I am confident that she will help us grow the smart brand."