• by Tanya Gazdik , November 4, 2020

Ed Laukes, group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing, is retiring and a replacement has not yet been named, according to the automaker.

Laukes, who has been with the autpmaker since 1989, is leaving effective Jan. 4. 

He is responsible for all Toyota division market planning, advertising, merchandising, sales promotion, incentives, NASCAR and motorsports, and all social and digital media. 

Toyota spent $1.51 billion U.S. dollars on advertising in U.S. media in 2019, according to Statista. The company made it to the list of top five auto manufacturers based on advertising spending that year, behind General Motors and Ford Motors.

Laukes was named MediaPost’s Automotive Marketer of the Year for 2018.

Since joining Toyota he has held positions in both the Toyota and Lexus divisions, including management roles at multiple field locations. Prior to his current position, Laukes was vice president of iitegrated marketing operations, and vice president, engagement marketing & guest experience. Before joining Toyota, Laukes worked at General Motors (Buick) and American Honda.

"Ed's expertise and deep understanding of marketing helped shape Toyota's perception among its customers in terms of safety, quality, reliability and fun-to-drive vehicles," said Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales, Toyota Motor North America, in a release. "He's been instrumental in the success of our motorsports program, including 29 NASCAR championships across all three national touring series since 2007. The brand has truly thrived under Ed's leadership and we thank him for his 31 years of service with Toyota.”

A successor to Laukes will be named at a later date, according to the automaker.