Toyota's Rob McKendrick promoted to customer services directorship

Toyota GB has promoted its head of network operations, Rob McKendrick to the role of director, customer services.

He replaces Rob Giles, who is moving on secondment to Toyota Motor Europe (TME) in Brussels to take up the role of head of Value Chain (Europe). 

The changes take effect on January 1, 2023.

McKendrick has been a member of the TGB team since 2008, joining the company as an area aftersales manager and subsequently manager, value chain development. He gained promotion to head of business planning and went on to join the Sales Division in a regional role in 2014 before promotion to general manager of network development in 2016. Following the creation of the business’s Operations Department in 2018, McKendrick moved to the role of general manager, Network Operations. 

He said: “Rob has done a fantastic job and I look forward to taking the reins from him and bringing my own experience to the role to deliver services that are industry leading – both for our customers and our business partners.” 

Agustín Martín, TGB president and CEO, thanked Giles for his contribution to the business and welcomed McKendrick to his new role. He said: “Rob’s expertise across all areas of the business gives him an excellent foundation on which to help make our European operations ever stronger. It is a pleasure to see someone with his experience, maturity and passion having the opportunity to expand his career at TME and I wish him every success. 

“In his work as general manager, Rob McKendrick has demonstrated great skills in developing individuals and building a strong team ethos. With his promotion to director, he will bring considerable experience to the leadership team as we transform our business.” 

Toyota is boosting its EV strategy with a six or 12-times increase in the production of its current zero-emissions bZ4x EV by 2025. The car maker revealed a concept hinting at its second electric model at the LA Autoshow.

It also follows an announcement that the next generation of the Prius hatchback – this time set to be sold only as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – will not be coming to the UK.

The business has re-stated its intention to build 9.7 million vehicles in its current fiscal year, despite being forced to cut production by 150,000 units in October and November.

The OEM has revealed that supply chain issues will force it to cut its global production plan by 100,000 Toyota and Lexus models in October and by 50,000 in November.