Toyota’s Bob Carter to retire as N.A. sales boss; Jack Hollis to succeed him

Toyota Motor North America announced a series of top-level executive moves, including the pending retirement of its longtime head of sales, Bob Carter, effective this month.

A large number of the Japanese automaker’s North American executive team will be reshuffled.

Carter, 62, has been executive vice president of sales for the Toyota and Lexus brands since 2017, and has worked primarily in sales and marketing capacities since joining Toyota as a warranty processor in 1981, and will retire June 30. 

“For over four decades, Bob has been an advocate for our dealers and customers, providing insightful leadership and sound and principled judgment in sales and marketing,” said Toyota Motor North America CEO Ted Ogawa in a statement. “Bob leaves a legacy of many ‘firsts,’ including Toyota and Lexus leadership in key segments, dealer satisfaction and profitability, and sales leadership in North America, to name a few.” 

Carter will be succeeded by Jack Hollis, 55, who has been senior vice president of automotive operations, reporting to CEO Ted Ogawa.

Hollis will be succeeded by Andrew Gilleland, 51, who has been head of the Lexus division since 2020. Gilleland’s top role at Lexus will be filled by Dejuan Ross, who has been vice president of sales for Toyota Financial Services, the automaker said.

Carter recently recovered from neck surgery after a fall from a motorcycle, but was on-hand last week during the automaker’s Headquarters Confidential media event in Plano.

Among other executive moves announced Monday:

• Zack Hicks, CEO and president of subsidiary Toyota Connected North America, and chief digital officer for TMNA, will retire July 22. 

• Tracey Doi, group vice president and CFO, TMNA, will retire effective Aug. 1, succeeded in the role by Tim Ingle, who had been group vice president for enterprise strategy.

• Sandra Phillips Rogers has been appointed to a newly created role of senior vice president of corporate resources and general counsel.

• Sean Suggs, group vice president and chief social innovation officer, has also been named president of Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, the new battery plant that the Japanese automaker will build on a large parcel of land in the Tar Heel State.

• Cooper Ericksen, who had been group vice president for product planning and strategy, has been promoted to a newly created position of senior vice president for product, BEV and mobility planning and strategy. 

• Mike Owens, group vice president and chief risk officer for Toyota Financial Services, will retire effective July 15.