Porsche Cars North America has appointed John Cappella as executive vice president and COO effective July 2, the automaker announced last week.
In his new role, Cappella will lead operations at Porsche Cars North America and will report to President and CEO Timo Resch.
Cappella joined Porsche in 2011 as director of network development at Porsche Cars Canada. He also served for three years as vice president, Area East for PCNA before being appointed as President and CEO of Porsche Cars Canada in September 2022.
“I’m honored to be rejoining the fantastic and passionate team at PCNA and to lead the operational side of the business at a fascinating time at Porsche,” Cappella said in a press release.
Porsche has reported brisk sales in North America over the past several years. The automaker sold over 75,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2023, its highest number in history and a 7.6 % increase from 2022, which was also a record breaking sales year in the U.S. Following its recent success, Porsche AG in April announced the forthcoming launch of several new models — a new Panamera and Taycan, and a refreshed Macan SUV and 911.
"With four new model lines being launched so far this year, the pace and diversity of new cars being introduced is unprecedented," Cappella said.
Cappella will replace Joe Lawrence in the role, who is leaving the automaker after a 15 year career, 11 of which were spent at Porsche Cars North America. In addition to the COO role, Lawrence's contributions to the automaker included a stint co-leading the business in 2023 after then-CEO Kjell Gruner abruptly resigned.
“I cannot adequately express the difference Joe has made to our business in more than a decade leading our operations,” said Resch, who became CEO in November 2023, in the press release. “He leaves PCNA on a high, with record customer satisfaction, sales results and investment in our business.”
Porsche will announce Cappella’s successor as CEO of Porsche Cars Canada at a later date.
