Those who sit at the top of the tree, the CEOs, are the most important people within car makers. They wield great power, especially in their strongest regions.
Their roles have, however, shifted in recent years, with the push of electric cars, and the need to prioritise tech and software above all else, requiring a change in thinking and working.
Some have failed to make the change, others have thrived. It is those who we celebrate within the Power List 100, sponsored by Keyloop.
Power List 100 2023 - CEOs
Mary Barra, chair, CEO, General Motors
Mary Barra is a General Motors veteran, having worked at the firm since she was 18. She is also one of the longest-serving CEOs of the major car companies having been promoted to run GM in early 2014. Navigating the firm through major structural changes and headwinds, she has prioritised production of large SUVs and pick-ups to ensure profitability. Recently, she has done a deal with Tesla to give GM EV customers access to its well-regarded Supercharger network.
Jim Farley, president, CEO, Ford
Firmly known as a ‘car guy’ who is fond of racing his Ford GT40 sports car at weekends, Jim Farley took over as Ford CEO in 2020, and has rapidly transformed a company in need of re-energising for a new generation. Not long after he started the job, the company’s stock doubled and at one point was valued over $100 billion. Under his tenure, Ford Europe has been overhauled, which includes the demise of the Fiesta, replaced by a focus on SUVs and electrification.
Makoto Uchida, president, CEO, Nissan
Taking over from the infamous Carlos Ghosn, Makoto Uchida had his work cut out for him when the long-time Nissan executive became the chosen leader in late 2019. After a disastrous 2019 and 2020, Uchida returned Nissan to profit: its 2022 profit was up an impressive 52% year-on-year despite the prolonged shortage of semi conductors and parts supply issues due to the shutdown in China. He has also renewed Nissan’s alliance with Renault under new terms which now means the two car makers are equal partners.
Jaehoon Chang, CEO, president, Hyundai Motor Group
Jay Chang was appointed as CEO and president in late 2020 having proven himself running the group’s Korea region and more recently its luxury Genesis brand. The widespread success of models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 demonstrates a company on the pulse in this era of electrification. Plus, Chang has transformed the company far beyond EVs; it is developing expertise in urban air mobility, autonomous driving, fuel cells and robotics.
Adrian Mardell, CEO, JLR
Adrian Mardell is born and bred JLR, having worked at the company for 32 years before taking the top job. It is no light undertaking: JLR’s woes were reported long before the broader industry issues of recent times. With Mardell’s ingrained knowledge of Gaydon and JLR back in the black, he is perfectly placed to lead the firm’s new House of Brands strategy and the reinvention of Jaguar as an electric hyper-luxury brand.
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