AutoNation: USAA Exec to Succeed Jackson
The nation’s No. 1 auto retailer has named Carl Liebert as its new president and CEO, succeeding Mike Jackson, who will serve as executive chairman of AutoNation’s board.
USAA COO Carl Liebert will become AutoNation’s first new chief executive since 2009 next month.
Photo courtesy AutoNation
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — AutoNation Inc. has appointed Carl Liebert as AutoNation’s new president and CEO, effective March 11. Mike Jackson will assume the role of executive chairman of the board.
“AutoNation is the retail automotive industry leader. The company has a coast-to-coast brand, a comprehensive Brand Extension strategy, and a transformational digital consumer car-buying experience,” said Jackson, who has served as the group’s chief executive since 2009. “Carl is a global leader who brings to AutoNation multi-faceted expertise in leading customer-centric transformations, omnichannel digital capabilities, and supply chain logistics. His work in improving store operations has become a model that many companies have emulated. Carl is uniquely qualified to lead AutoNation forward.”
Liebert currently serves as executive vice president and COO of USAA, a Fortune 100 full-service financial services company serving nearly 13 million members. The former U.S. Navy officer also has served in leadership roles with Home Depot, General Electric, and Circuit City.
“AutoNation has a clear strategy that sets it apart in the auto retail sector and diversifies the typical retail business model. The company’s brand extension strategy has given it an edge in what is a cyclical business," Liebert said. "The opportunities that lie ahead for AutoNation are massive, and the ability to lead this next chapter is deeply humbling and exciting. … I am confident in the road ahead, and I am honored to lead this extraordinary company.”
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →
State Follows Federal Warning on Auto Ads
The Massachusetts attorney general cautioned the state’s automotive dealers to be upfront with the consuming public about their vehicle prices or risk punishment.
Read More →
Consumer Outlook on the Rise
Younger generations are feeling more positive about their financial futures and current affordability pressures than older generations, according to recent TransUnion data.
Read More →
Pennsylvania Dealership Under New Retailers
The sale of the Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram store puts a family auto group on a leaner path as first-time dealers take the helm.
Read More →
Battery Storage Takes Priority Over EVs
U.S. automakers are prioritizing battery energy stationary storage over electric-vehicle production as the consumer demand for EVs lags the rest of the world.
Read More →
Auto Dealers Feel Better But Not Great
A second-quarter Cox Automotive poll of franchised retailers and independents found better views of the current market after a good spring but anticipation of third-quarter storminess.
Read More →
New-Vehicle Sales Picture Relative
A May forecast is complicated by last spring’s trade tariff effects on auto retail. Despite continued hard realities, many consumers took advantage of ways to bite the bullet.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Third Nissan Rooftop
Iowa-based Coleman Automotive Group recently acquired its seventh dealership, McGrath Nissan, which it renamed Nissan of Elgin.
Read More →
April Less Affordable
Based on prices, reduced incentives and slower household income growth, consumers found it more challenging to buy new last month, Cox Automotive reported.
Read More →