General Motors Holden has confirmed Mark Harland, Executive Director of Marketing, has left the company.

The Canadian, a 20-year General Motors veteran, resigned the role he took on in November 2016.

“Since joining Holden in 2016, Mark has shown incredible passion for the brand,” read the statement confirming his departure.

“Under his leadership, Holden has established key relationships with Surf Life Saving Australia and Mardi Gras and reaffirmed Holden’s commitment to Holden Motorsport, Collingwood Football Club and the NRL, most notably as naming rights’ sponsor of NRL Holden State of Origin and the inaugural NRL Holden Women’s Premiership League.”

Harland visited Symmons Plains on Friday as news of the decision to shelve plans for Holden’s V6 twin-turbo was broken.

At the time it was said he had taken time out from a family holiday to visit the Tasmanian venue, and speak with the media.

His departure comes at a time when sales of new Holdens has dropped by more than 20 percent over the last 12 months, with February its worst result on record.

The company just scraped into the top 10 selling manufacturers in March, with fewer than 600 ZB Commodores sold last month.

Previously, Harland’s role had been managed by Emma Pinwill prior to her departure to Renault earlier this year.

Stepping into the vacant position is Kristian Aquilina, who has overseen Holden New Zealand for the past three years.

Aquilina joined General Motors Holden in 1997, and has filled a number of roles for the company prior to being appointed Managing Director of Holden New Zealand in January 2015.