Ex-Vauxhall fleet director Maurice Howkins joins SOGO

Fleet industry veteran Maurice Howkins has joined his son's flexible leasing business SOGO as corporate sales director.

His fleet industry career includes 50 years at car brand Vauxhall and a further eight years at General Motors, where he held a Europe-wide corporate sales directorship.

In 2010, Maurice Howkins was inducted to Fleet News Hall of Fame.

He will be responsible for growing corporate sales at SOGO and will work closely with the sales team to pass on his years of experience.

SOGO launched at the start of 2021, masterminded by ex-Citroen UK boss Karl Howins. The business provides leases from one month to four years. It aims to build a fleet of around 5,000 vehicles in its first year.

Initially focusing on corporate customers, SOGO plans to expand into the private car user market shortly.

It is backed by dealer group Cambria Automobiles, with a national network of logistics hubs. The digital-led service allows customers to order a vehicle in a matter of minutes and provides a subscription model that includes insurance, maintenance, breakdown cover and ‘industry-leading’ flexibility.

Lee O’Connell, sales director of SOGO, said: “SOGO has ambitious growth plans, and I can’t think of a better champion for the brand than Maurice. He brings a huge amount of experience and an enviable network of contacts.”