Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, has stepped down from the automaker effective June 18, 2026, ending one of the longest tenures among North American automotive executives. 

A JLR spokesperson confirmed Eberhardt left “to pursue new opportunities” and will continue supporting the company in a consultancy role through the end of 2026, with a focus on JLR’s collaboration with Stellantis. “We are grateful to Joe for his contribution and wish him continued success,” the spokesperson said. 
Lennard Hoornik, JLR’s chief growth officer, will serve as interim leader while the company searches for a permanent successor.

Eberhardt, 62, joined JLR in December 2013 after senior roles at Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, and Mercedes-Benz. He oversaw North American operations during a period of expansion for the Land Rover brand, including the successful launch of models like the Range Rover Evoque and the revival of the Defender. Under his leadership, Land Rover maintained relatively steady sales despite industry challenges such as quality concerns and softening resale values. 

Jaguar’s performance proved more difficult in recent years, with sedans like the XF and XE underperforming as the brand pivots toward an all-electric future. Eberhardt’s exit comes one day after JLR announced a major strategic shift: partnering with Stellantis to develop U.S.-specific Defender models and ramping up focus on the American market as it de-emphasizes China amid struggles for premium brands there. JLR CEO PB Balaji has set an ambitious goal to grow the U.S. business to the scale of the company’s current global operations. 
Eberhardt’s departure marks the end of an era for the Tata Motors-owned luxury group as it navigates electrification, new partnerships, and evolving consumer demands in a competitive luxury segment. Industry observers will watch closely for how the leadership transition affects JLR’s North American momentum.