During Bob Carter's first year as general manager of Toyota Division, the brand was enjoying hot hybrid sales and making inroads in the full-size-pickup category with the all-new Tundra. But the brand's quality reputation took a hit last fall when Consumer Reports announced it would no longer automatically recommend new Toyotas as "most reliable" without testing them.
While the automaker takes pains to point out that its Toyota, Lexus and Scion models collectively lead the industry with the most models on the magazine's list, it will be up to Mr. Carter to hammer home the reliability claim.
He seems well-suited to the task. Mr. Carter has been at Toyota Motor Sales USA since 1981, after serving as part owner and general manager of Hyannis Toyota in Hyannis, Mass. His stints at the automaker include a number of key posts, including regional general manager, VP-sales for the Toyota Division, and VP-sales and dealer development for Lexus.
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