Former Toyota Australia marketing general manager John Pappas has succeeded former incumbent Scott Thompson as the new chief executive of Lexus Australia, just as the luxury marque is about to launch the all-new NX SUV range in late January.
Pappas, 46, has 25 years of automotive experience, in a variety of senior international, national and regional roles.
Graduating as a mechanical engineer from Monash University, Pappas has completed assignments in national sales, regional operations, parts supply and logistics, before spending two years at the group’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
Thompson is joining KINTO Europe as vice president operations, business development and technology. Concurrently assigned as vice president mobility in Toyota Motor Europe, Thompson will strengthen co-ordination among several mobility functions according to the company.
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia president Matthew Callachor says Thompson’s four years at the helm of Lexus Australia had been characterised by an unrelenting focus on the total ownership experience.
“Scott’s passion for Lexus to have a deep understanding of the needs and lifestyles of our customers has resulted in the introduction of our top-tier owner-benefits program, Lexus Encore Platinum,” Callachor says.
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