Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG), an international automotive retailer and exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo through its wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor LLC (”smart USA”), announced today that Jill Lajdziak has been named President of smart USA. In this role, Lajdziak will assume day to day operations for the smart brand in the United States.

Lajdziak has over 30 years of progressive automotive experience, including expertise in brand development, product marketing and customer satisfaction. Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske said, “As we look to enhance the position of the smart brand, Jill’s background and experience will help us reinvigorate the dealer network and bring a greater awareness to the smart brand.”

Previously, smart USA was managed by Dave Schembri. Schembri will transition into Penske Automotive Group’s retail operations. Penske continued, “I would like to thank Dave for his efforts over the last three and a half years with smart USA. His contributions were instrumental in helping us bring smart to the United States.”

About Penske Automotive

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (www.penskeautomotive.com) headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 310 retail automotive franchises, representing 40 different brands and 25 collision repair centers. Penske Automotive, which sells new and previously owned vehicles, finance and insurance products and replacement parts, and offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it represents, has 160 franchises in 17 states and Puerto Rico and 150 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. Penske Automotive, through its wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor LLC (www.smartusa.com), is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo vehicle and related parts in the United States. smart USA supports over 75 smart retail centers in the United States. Penske Automotive is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has approximately 14,000 employees. smart and fortwo are registered trademarks of Daimler AG.

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) announced today John R. Outcalt has been appointed vice president, automotive refinish, and will assume global responsibility for PPG’s automotive refinish business effective March 1. Outcalt is currently vice president, automotive refinish, Americas. He will continue to be based at PPG’s automotive refinish business headquarters in Strongsville, Ohio, and to report directly to J. Rich Alexander, senior vice president, Performance Coatings.

Outcalt joined PPG’s automotive OEM coatings business in 1983 as marketing services manager on the Chrysler account. After progressing through various marketing, marketing services, technical, sales and management positions within automotive OEM coatings, Outcalt became director of network sales for automotive refinish in 1996.

Outcalt then served as director of collision center operations and director of sales, North America, refinish, before joining PPG’s insurance and services business as general manager. In October 2005, he served as general manager, refinish, United States and Canada. In December 2007, Outcalt was named to his current position.

He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College.

About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 140 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit ppg.com.