Continental has named Gary Mercer as Western sales manager. In this role, Mercer will manage Continental’s aftermarket program for the traditional warehouse distributor network. He will work with all of Continental aftermarket product lines including TPMS sensors and service parts, blower motors, fan assemblies, door systems, OE replacement parts, wiper blades and brake system parts.

James McGonagle, head of Aftermarket Sales North America for Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket (CVAM), made the announcement and noted, ”We are thrilled to have Gary Mercer join our team as our Western sales manager. Gary has worked for more than three decades in the automotive aftermarket and has a great deal of executive and sales experience as well as a proven expertise in product categories closely related to our business. We welcome Gary to the team and look forward to his contributions.”

Prior to joining Continental, Mercer has had a distinguished career in the automotive aftermarket industry in executive, sales and marketing roles. Mercer was the Western divisional sales director for Promax Auto Parts Depot and served as the director of sales and marketing for Best Brakes, an OEM brake distributor. He also was previously executive vice president at ABC Brakes, where he helped to develop the company’s corporate structure and marketing plan to help bring a new supplier to the automotive aftermarket. As vice president of sales and marketing at Transglobe Automotive Inc., Mercer created a marketing program that helped pave the way for business opportunities with major retailers and program groups. Mercer also was vice president of sales, Western U.S. at IAP /Dura International, vice president sales and marketing at Best Brakes, and North American Aftermarket Sales Director for Brembo NA.

Mercer studied Business and Education at Youngstown State University and Business Administration and Management at Saddleback College. He holds the designation of Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) from AWDA University and is an active member in the California Auto Wholesalers Association (CAWA), one of the primary leaders and partners of the Auto Care Association. He also serves on the CAWA’s Membership and Education Committee and the Manufacturers Advisory Council.

For more information, visit: www.continental-aftermarket.com.