Goodyear's Molinari leaves company

BIRMINGHAM, England (Dec. 2)—Marco V. Molinari, former vice president of sales and marketing for Goodyear North American Tire, has left his post as group managing director of Goodyear Dunlop U.K. to pursue other interests. Andreas Niegsch replaced Molinari Dec. 1 as general manager. The tire maker said it is eliminating the group managing director title. In his new post, Niegsch will report to Robin McKnight, managing director of Goodyear Dunlop sales countries, Western Europe. The company said announcements will be forthcoming about the move's impact on other positions. Molinari served as vice president of sales and marketing for North American Tire from November 1996 until July 2000, when he was named vice president of global marketing projects. He became group managing director for Goodyear Dunlop U.K. in June 2001. Niegsch had been director of marketing and sales for Goodyear's Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region, prior to his newest appointment.