A long-serving Toyota and Hino executive has confirmed 2020 will be his last year.
It was announced today by Hino that Steve Lotter Chairman and CEO of Hino Australia will retire from his position effective 1 January, 2021.
The role will be filled by current Hino Australia President and Chief Operating Officer Sam Suda.
“On behalf of Hino Australia, I would like to thank Steve for his dedication and leadership over the past 14 years,” Suda said in a prepared statement.
Lotter’s 45 year career in the automotive industry began in 1975 when he joined Thiess Toyota.
He spent the next 30 years at Toyota Australia before leaving briefly for a brief stint at Kia Motors Australia where he was appointed COO in 2005.
In 2006 Lotter returned to the Toyota Group and joined Hino Australia as COO before being named President and COO in 2008.
He was appointed to the role of Chairman in 2014.
“During my time at Hino Australia, there has been a focus on expanding and developing the product range using the principles of SPEC, being Safety, Performance, Efficiency and Comfort,” Lotter said.
“Following the successful launches of our new light and medium-duty truck ranges over the last three years, I am confident that I leave Hino Australia well-positioned for the future,” he said.
Hino Australia’s latest investment is in a new Parts Distribution Centre, which is currently under construction at Horsley Park in western Sydney and due to open mid-2021.
This investment will optimise Hino Australia’s supply chain network, by providing a better and faster service to the over 45,000 Hino trucks and buses currently in operation on Australian roads.