Rob Whiten

COX Automotive Australia (CAA) has made two senior appointments, including a new managing director, as part of a program designed to coordinate the company’s various motor industry specialty services to dealers and OEMs across the life cycle of car ownership.

Former Inchcape Automotive Retail boss, Rob Whiten, has been elevated to the role of CEO of Cox Automotive Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Whiten, who joined Manheim last July as national retail director, replaces outgoing CEO, Gary Martin, who has left the company. The respective CEOs of Manheim, Dealer Solutions, CarsGuide/Autotrader and Xtime will report directly to Mr Whiten.

Since joining CAA, Mr Whiten has been running specific projects including recommending improvements to Manheim’s retail operations – Buy Now and Sell My Car.

Charles Cumming

The president of Cox Automotive International, John Bailey, told GoAutoNews Premium: “Rob has excellent credentials gained over an extensive and highly successful career in the automotive and other commercial industries. In recent times, he spent three years as chief operating officer for Tynan Motors located in southern Sydney with 16 brands and seven locations.

“Immediately prior (Rob) spent four years as managing director for Inchcape Automotive Retail – a $600 million Auto Retail business.”

In an additional appointment, Charles Cumming has been elevated to the vacant position of CEO of Manheim Australia & New Zealand. He fills the role held by Campbell Jones who left Manheim earlier this year.

Mr Cumming was previously director of operations at Manheim. He recently chaired a committee established to review Manheim’s operations and procedures and from this role was seen as “the perfect candidate for his new position”.

Mr Cumming has been with Manheim since 2001, during which held senior positions including general manager of Queensland and general manager of Northern Operations.

By John Mellor