Management


Andrew Taitz

Andrew Taitz, Chairman

In 2001, Chairman Andrew Taitz led the acquisition of the Autocar® brand, the oldest truck nameplate in the U.S. Since that time, Autocar has developed to be a leading American manufacturer dedicated to severe-duty vocational trucks.

Consistent with all of Andrew Taitz’s efforts for almost three decades (including his past investments and dispositions of Workhorse Custom Chassis and Union City Body Co.), Autocar seeks the best people, who are then empowered to create value for customers – often by doing things differently. By understanding customers, their markets, and their true drivers of value and sustained competitive advantage, Autocar meets customer needs in ways more fundamental and aligned toward forward-looking growth and profitability. Consistent with the history of the Autocar® brand, Autocar builds the highest-performing severe-service trucks in the world.

Autocar and affiliated GVW Group companies have been industry leaders in furthering and promoting sustainable, environment-friendly products and services, and they continue to seek and advance such opportunities as core to their key growth initiatives.

Jimmy Johnston

JAMES (JIMMY) JOHNSTON, PRESIDENT OF AUTOCAR TRUCKS

Jimmy Johnston, President of Autocar Trucks, has led the company since 2003. Jimmy has been engaged in the truck and body business, serving severe duty industries, since 1986. With a focus on the refuse industry since 1992, he has been driving chassis and body integration while always making safety a top priority.

The Autocar expansion to Alabama in 2017 brought Jimmy and his wife, Colleen, south and they are now proud Alabamians. Originally from Chicago Heights, Illinois, Jimmy attended Southern Illinois University and later continued his education at Albright College and Stanford.

Eric Schwartz

Eric Schwartz, PRESIDENT OF AUTOCAR INDUSTRIES

Eric Schwartz joined the company in 2003, after working for a variety of automotive and truck suppliers and with multiple vehicle OEMs. Eric has held a number of positions while at GVW and Autocar. Initially working with our GVW Chairman in Business Development and company operating initiatives, then leading the Autocar Parts business, and eventually launching the Phoenix Group team, to focus on new products and new businesses for Autocar.

Eric, as President of Autocar Industries, now leads the company’s Terminal Tractor and Specialty Vehicle Vocational businesses, along with being responsible for the Hagerstown, IN operation. Eric received his undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University, where he studied Transportation & Logistics and International Business, and his MBA in Finance and Strategy from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.