Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • 2021 Canadians To Watch
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Executives
September 28, 2021 04:53 PM

Maria Soklis stepping down at Cox Automotive Canada amid structural changes

'It has been a pleasure working alongside you and getting to know you, both professionally and personally,' Soklis told customers in a memo

Greg Layson
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Martin Forbes Maria Soklis

    Martin Forbes, president for Cox Automotive International, left, and Maria Soklis, who has elected to leave Cox Automotive as President for Cox Automotive Canada & Brazil.

    Editor’s note: A headline on an earlier version of this story incorrectly suggested that Cox is  leaving Canada.

    Citing structural changes, Maria Soklis has elected to leave Cox Automotive as president of Cox Automotive Canada and Brazil at the end of October. 

    "We can confirm that Cox Automotive has announced [Tuesday] that it will transition the full Canadian business back into its United States operations as part of a decision to simplify its structure for local and global customers. This transition will happen from [Tuesday]," a Cox Automotive Canada spokesperson said in an email to Automotive News Canada.

    The spokesperson said the firm, which provides inventory and digital retailing services and solutions to dealers, won't physically be leaving the country, but rather it will start reporting to U.S. management. Canadian operations will continue, the spokesperson said.

    “The new strategy will ensure the business becomes more agile in supporting both current and future customers and help leverage synergies and efficiencies between Canada and the United States including sharing common platforms, products and solutions,” Martin Forbes, president for Cox Automotive International, said in a statement.

    Soklis personally notified customers and partners of her departure using wording similar to that of the Cox statement. “Cox Automotive Canada has long been closely aligned with the U.S., especially due to its geographic proximity. We have common customers, and it just makes business sense to serve them as one company. We need to simplify our structure to make it even easier for our customers to do business with us and for us to help them grow. It will be an important part of our North American strategy.”

    “It has been a pleasure working alongside you and getting to know you, both professionally and personally,” Soklis said in her note. “I will remain in the organization until the end of October, and I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have, or simply have a conversation about the benefits of this transition.”

    A Cox spokesman said officials would not be made available for interviews and didn’t say whether the transition would lead to job losses or transfers to the United States, or what it means for the Cox Automotive office in Mississauga, Ont. The company also has offices in Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver and Milton, Ont.

    Forbes in the Cox statement thanked Soklis for her work in Canada. 

    “Her leadership has led Cox Automotive Canada to being recognized as the leading automotive service organization in the country,” he wrote. “She has been an integral and important part of the Cox Automotive International leadership team and I wish her all success in her future ventures.”

    Cox, headquartered in Atlanta, includes Kelley Blue Book, Xtime, Autotrader.com and Manheim auctions in its global automotive businesses.

    Maria Soklis says goodbye

    Read Maria Soklis' note to customers and partners.

    Maria Soklis Note >
    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Unifor after Dias: Candidates to replace him offer three distinct directions
    Recommended for You
    Unifor Presidential Candidates
    Unifor after Dias: Candidates to replace him offer three distinct directions
    MaximePicat.jpg
    Stellantis names new global purchasing boss, tasked with building supplier relationships
    Maria Soklis of America at Dealer Solutions Mergers and Acquisitions
    Maria Soklis new executive VP North America at Dealer Solutions Mergers & Acquisitions
    Luciano Butera
    Sponsored Content: Expert insights | The used-car inventory crunch
    Digital Edition
    May 2022 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • 2021 Canadians To Watch
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS