(Yicai Global) April 29 -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, one of the world's largest carmakers, has confirmed the departure of Daphne Zheng, its chief operating officer China and managing director of its sales joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automotive Group (GAC). 

Massimiliano Trantini will take over from Zheng. The firm offered no reasons for the swap.

Mike Manley, chief executive of the US-Italian auto conglomerate made the appointment, saying it was immediate, according to an internal email obtained by Jiemian News.

Trantini, former chief executive of Getrag (Jiangxi) Transmission and of the joint  transmission production joint venture of GAC and FCA, now leaves his former post as director of China business development for FCA.

Zheng became managing director of the GAC-FCA sales JV in July 2015, managing businesses including product planning, marketing, sales and after-sales services for Fiat, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge brand domestically-made and imported cars. Prior to this, she served as president and managing director of Chrysler China Sales.

Zheng was named CFA's COO China in January 2017, managing its Chinese business and joining the company's top management body 'Group Executive Committee,' thus becoming the first Chinese to break into top management at a world-class carmaker.

GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles achieved sales by volume of 21,706 units in the first quarter, down 41 percent from last year's 36,992 units.

Editor: Ben Armour