Thomas Loveless

With over 30 years of executive experience in the automotive industry, Thomas Loveless brings a rare combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, and deep expertise in dealer network development. His leadership roles span global OEM powerhouses, including Kia Motors America, DaimlerChrysler, and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), where he consistently delivered transformative, measurable results.

As Executive Vice President of Sales at Kia Motors America (KMA) during the Great Recession (2007–2014), Loveless led a transformative strategy that safeguarded the existing retailer base while aggressively seizing limited market opportunities. This dual approach resulted in a doubling of sales, market share, and dealer profitability over seven years. Central to this success was the creation of collaborative, "win/win" programs and a major overhaul of the retail network—facilitating and securing approval for over 150 buy/sell transactions. His efforts modernized the dealer body, elevated brand presence, and ensured long-term structural strength for Kia in the U.S. market.

Loveless also improved internal communication, field operations, and the company’s “go to market” strategy, including the introduction of Kia’s first electric vehicle. As the face of KMA to the U.S. business and automotive press, he helped elevate the brand’s national image during a critical period of growth.

Earlier in his career, Loveless served as a Sales and Marketing representative on an elite eight-member corporate task force commissioned by Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Chrysler Group, to reshape the company’s strategic direction. His prior leadership roles at DaimlerChrysler and JLR equipped him with essential expertise in distribution, logistics, field operations, and multicultural market engagement.

At JLR, he was instrumental in growing the Western Region from the smallest to the largest in the U.S., leveraging strategic focus on opportunity-rich markets such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, and Denver. He also played a key role in the U.S. launch of the I-PACE, JLR’s first all-electric vehicle, and contributed globally as part of a task force in Shanghai to restructure JLR’s presence in the Chinese market.