Lee Fox has joined Cox Automotive as the new managing director for Cox Automotive Vehicle Solutions (CAVS) to help strengthen its senior leadership team in Europe.

Fox assumes overall operational and financial responsibility for CAVS which includes Manheim Vehicle Service, Manheim Inspection Services and Movex.

He will report directly to Pete Bell, Cox Automotive Europe’s chief operating officer and sit on the European board.

Fox’s expertise includes leading and developing large scale operational teams, working with partners and supplier as well as managing relationships of major corporate clients.

Bell said: “This is a key appointment for Cox Automotive Europe and Lee’s expertise and experience will be an integral part in helping us achieve our European vision.

“Lee’s will be focusing on ensuring we deliver exceptional service to customers and achieving significant efficiencies through increasing both the scale and breadth of our vehicle solutions capabilities.”

Cox Automotive recently launched a new global mobility division that will aim to harness its knowhow in fleet logistics, vehicle lifecycle management and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Fox joins Cox Automotive Europe from GEFCO where he was most recently UK 4PL director in charge of all vehicle and material flows for their main customer, Stellantis.

During his 17 years at GEFCO, he worked in many of their divisions ranging from finished vehicle logistics to freight logistics.

Cox Automotive said its vehicle solutions business has grown significantly since the acquisition of C Walton in 2020, and Manheim Vehicle Services has recently announced several new contracts with Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) and Volkswagen Group UK as a direct result of its extended vehicle services capabilities.

Fox added: “Cox Automotive Vehicle Solutions is growing, and I hope to play my part in laying the foundations with customers and developing our capabilities for further growth."

Used car buyers have been told they must “get used to a significantly older profile of vehicle” as supply shortages look set to continue into 2023, says Cox Automotive.