Long-serving Toyota and Hino executive Steve Lotter has announced he will retire from the role of Chairman and CEO of Hino Australia, effective from 1st January 2021.
Long-serving Toyota and Hino executive Steve Lotter has announced he will retire from the role of Chairman and CEO of Hino Australia, effective from 1st January 2021.
“On behalf of Hino Australia, I would like to thank Steve for his dedication and leadership over the past 14 years,” said Sam Suda, President and COO of Hino Australia.
Mr Suda will move into the new role of Hino President and CEO from 1st January 2021 after two years in his current role.
Hino is one of the largest Japanese truck brands in Australia and part of the global Toyota Motor Corporation group.
Steve Lotter has enjoyed a 45 year career in the automotive industry commencing in 1975 at Thiess Toyota, which was the precursor to a 30-year career at Toyota Australia, before leaving briefly in 2005 to take on the role of COO at Kia Motors Australia.
Encouraged back to the Toyota Group in 2006, he joined Hino Australia as COO, before his move to the President and COO role in 2008, and then into his current role 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,” said Mr Lotter.
“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.
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.