JOBS are in jeopardy as a shake-up gets under way within the corporate sales department of the Colt Car Company, official importer of Mitsubishi vehicles to the UK.

It comes as part of a 'structural review' of the entire Mitsubishi operation in the UK which has seen the manufacturer's corporate sales manager, David Lingwood, placed on garden leave until further notice in the latest of a series of senior management changes. His job is now being undertaken by Matthew Cheyne, who has assumed the new role of general manager of fleet and used cars.

The new position is part of the shake-up within Mitsubishi which will eventually see 11 general managers replacing the existing heads of departments - some heads of department will take on general manager positions. The 'streamlining' of the business has already seen the departure of managing director Stephen Dixon, director of sales Andrew Wenzel, and director of marketing Colin Pierce. By Friday, June 18, the Japanese manufacturer says the review should be complete and any job losses or position changes in place.

Mitsubishi has blamed the current state of the new car market - and in particular grey imports and pre-registration by leading manufacturers - for the job losses which will see the number employed at the Cirencester headquarters fall to 220. It is believed that, under the review, the sales and marketing functions are being combined and Dixon's replacement will be appointed later this year.