The 2024 MotorTrend Power List: The Auto Industry’s Biggest Movers and Shakers

It was a year of build and repair, of normalcy and lunacy, of press forward and pull back.

The recovery from the pandemic and supply chain shortages continued as new vehicle inventory levels increased, but high interest rates and elevated sticker prices kept some would-be buyers out of the market. U.S. light vehicle sales climbed 12 percent to 15.6 million— their highest level since 2019—but were still about 2 million vehicles short of pre-pandemic levels. Honda, Tesla, Volkswagen, and the Korean automakers were among the many to make big gains; only Stellantis saw a drop in sales. It allowed the Hyundai Group (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis) to leapfrog Stellantis to become the fourth-largest seller in the U.S.

The domestic industry grappled with an unorthodox set of contract negotiations under a new and fiery UAW leader, Shawn Fain, who orchestrated a six-week strike and scored historic gains for about 146,000 workers, touching off matching wage increases at nonunionized companies that want to keep their employees happy in the face of renewed organizing efforts.

It was a year that started with a flurry of announcements of new EV models and new vehicle and battery assembly plants to build them. As the year continued, the realization came that EV adoption might take longer than previously forecast. Some EV programs were deemphasized and launches delayed as automakers showed a renewed interest and investment in hybrids and internal combustion engines.

Tesla discounts prompted a price war among EVs, which contributed to a 50 percent jump in the sale of battery electric vehicles in the U.S., but at the expense of profit per vehicle.

The lack of reliable public charging infrastructure led to the surprise adoption of Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) by much of the industry, which will take place over the next few years. Consumers also grappled with the confusing and changing requirements for tax credits on EVs under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act initiatives.

The increased vehicle inventories reduced scarcity and prompted more competitive pricing and the return of incentives. Automakers reported strong earnings and continued to invest in all types of vehicles and powertrains.

Of course, none of that happens without people—the 50 influential figures on this list, in fact, which is topped by the 2024 MotorTrend Person of the Year.

2023 Power List | 2023 Person of the Year

50. Elon Musk

Tesla CEO

2023 Rank: 42

The mercurial Musk continued to make headlines good and bad. Tesla ended the year with the global EV sales crown, but China's BYD outsold Tesla in the fourth quarter and shows no signs of slowing down. Share prices and deliveries were up, but so were discounts, which meant the bottom line took a hit and profit margins were half what they used to be. Tesla finally delivered a few Cybertrucks, but they launched with less capability and a higher price than promised four years earlier. The Model 3 was updated, but the product pipeline otherwise still awaits the affordable next-generation model, which could be years off. Musk's management of X (formerly Twitter) showed the world his erratic business style, while an antisemitic social post and reports of drug use reflected on the man himself.

49. Roger Penske

Penske Corporation CEO

2023 Rank: Unranked

The automotive mogul and retired professional racing driver is not slowing down. He still owns Team Penske as well as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500, the IndyCar Series , and other racing-related businesses. He keeps adding titles, too: NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney's team gave Penske Racing back-to-back Cup championships, and Team Penske won the 24 Hours of Daytona. Penske has also implemented eco-conscious initiatives such as burning fuel from renewable sources at the NTT IndyCar Series and Brickyard 400. The man who has also overseen many transportation companies and dealerships personifies the adage "win on Sunday, sell on Monday."

48. McKeel Hagerty

Hagerty CEO

2023 Rank: Unranked

McKeel is the driving force behind Hagerty, a company that has recently gone public and expanded beyond its roots of selling specialty insurance for classic cars. It has evolved into an enthusiast brand with its own magazines, YouTube channel, storage clubs, auction service, programs, events, and lobbying efforts to preserve historic cars. McKeel helped develop the National Historic Vehicle Register and has acquired tech companies to run online classified ads. A longtime judge at many concours, his company has since acquired several of them, including The Amelia and the Detroit Concours.

47. Pham Nhat Vuong

Vingroup Chairman and VinFast CEO

2023 Rank: Unranked

Fledgling Vietnamese automaker VinFast is expanding globally, including the U.S., where the first VF 8 electric SUVs launched prematurely with quality issues, some of which have been addressed as the automaker contends with the realities of end-to-end carmaking and Western expectations. So invested is Vuong, the billionaire chairman of parent company Vingroup, that he took over as VinFast CEO amid plans for more SUVs, a pickup truck, and an expanding dealer network, as well as an assembly plant under construction in North Carolina with another slated in India. After going public in August, VinFast stock skyrocketed, returned to earth, and remains volatile. Vuong shows no signs of slowing his ambitions and investments in the electric vehicle space.

46. Seetarama "Swamy" Kotagiri

Magna International CEO

2023 Rank: 34

The global supplier of parts, tech, engineering, assembly, and vehicle platforms continues to expand its reach, including affiliations with virtually every automaker. Magna International subsidiary Magna Steyr excels as a contract developer and manufacturer of vehicles, including the new Fisker Ocean electric SUV. Volkswagen has tapped Magna Steyr to develop electric trucks and SUVs for the Scout brand, and Magna will also engineer and build an electric off-road SUV for Ineos Automotive. Magna is also looking to add a vehicle assembly plant in North America. On other fronts, Magna has developed an 800-volt E-Drive that is smaller and lighter with increased range. At CES, Magna also showed technology to prevent impaired driving. Magna is the true definition of a mega-supplier.

45. J.B. Straubel

Redwood Materials Founder and CEO

2023 Rank: 40

The need to recycle battery scrap will only grow, and Straubel continues to make deals, form partnerships, and move forward with construction of a plant that hopes to process enough reclaimed, recycled materials to be used in a million EVs annually. The Tesla co-founder and former chief technical officer founded Redwood Materials in 2017 and left Tesla in 2019 to concentrate on it. Billions have been invested in operations to recycle lithium-ion battery materials in the U.S. with a large facility rising near Reno, Nevada, and plans for a second plant near Charleston, South Carolina. Toyota is the first automaker to strike a deal to buy battery components for its new battery plant in North Carolina in 2025.

44. Riccardo Ferrario

Idra CEO

2023 Rank: Unranked

Idra is an Italian company that makes the high-pressure die-casting machines that have become known as gigapresses, and Ferrario is the renowned engineer behind them. His firm supplied giant machines to Tesla for producing the gigacastings used in the Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck in a partnership that aims to change car manufacturing. Replacing multiple components with a single module saves time and money with the stated ability to build three vehicles in the time it normally takes to build one. Idra has added Ford, Hyundai, and a European automaker to its customer base. Other automakers, including Toyota and GM, are adopting gigacasting technology, turning to some of Idra's competitors.

43. Ted Cannis

Ford, Head of Ford Pro

2023 Rank: Unranked

Financially speaking, commercial vehicles are sexy as hell. They make money not only from initial sales but also from the services and extras—like chargers for EVs—that companies can provide clients. At Ford, this profitable division is called Ford Pro, and it is run by the energetic Ted Cannis. Ford Pro bundles vehicles, service, software, charging, and financing to help businesses operate their fleets more efficiently. Demand for commercial vehicles is strong, and Ford has more than 400,000 commercial customers with subscriptions for software services. Ford Pro is projected to have the highest profit margins in the company by 2026.

42. Jeff Morrison

General Motors Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain

2023 Rank: Unranked

As GM shifts to an electric future, Morrison has been cementing deals with a new lineup of suppliers to ensure the automaker has the raw materials needed for batteries, as well as the facilities to make and recycle them in order to allow GM to better control its own destiny. As a result, GM has multiple joint ventures to make Ultium batteries, plus contracts and investments with companies that mine critical minerals. The result: GM says it has a supply chain in place to meet EV production plans through 2025 and is working on meeting its needs through 2030. Morrison has also forged new relationships with everyone from chipmakers to logistics providers while working to improve overall supplier relations.

41. Thomas Ingenlath

Polestar CEO

2023 Rank: 22

Sales of the Polestar 2 hatchback continue to increase, and a prototype of the Polestar 5 flagship sedan made the Hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Before the low-volume, aluminum-frame Polestar 5 GT goes on sale, look for the Polestar 3 electric SUV and the Polestar 4 SUV coupe to hit the market in 2024. And further down the road is the luscious Polestar 6 convertible sports car. Ingenlath is determined to expand the lineup, and Polestar is also developing its own smartphone with DreamSmart Group, a division of parent Geely. Volvo's reported plans to divest from Polestar has caused some concern about its future, but Geely doesn't appear to be giving up on the brand for now.

40. Joe Tolkacz

Stellantis Ramcharger Propulsion System Chief Engineer

2023 Rank: Unranked

Tolkacz is the man tasked with creating the first series hybrid pickup truck for consumers. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger has a 3.6-liter V-6 gasoline engine, but it's not connected to the wheels; instead, it runs the generator that makes electricity that's stored in a battery pack and delivered to front and rear motors to propel the truck. This provides a solution for those who would like a full-size electric pickup to tow and haul while negating range anxiety and the need to find a charger on long journeys. The truck has a claimed range of about 690 miles, which could be a game changer for electrified full-size pickups.

39. Lewis Hamilton

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion

2023 Rank: Unranked

The driver some F1 pundits consider the GOAT fell off our 2023 Power List after earning the No. 32 spot in our 2022 rankings. That's because Hamilton, despite continuing his commendable work for social equality and justice and his forays into fashion and music, was far less of a story on the track. Through no visible fault of his own, his Mercedes-AMG Petronas machine wasn't usually competitive on the heels of a significant F1 technical rules reshuffle his team failed to get on top of. But as if to remind everyone of his status as a global star, Hamilton rocked the F1 establishment this February when he announced he will join Ferrari, beginning with the 2025 season. Indeed, following what will be his 12th season with Mercedes in 2024, one of international sport's most famous competitors will team with one of the world's most recognized brands. The partnership is a marketer's and merchandiser's dream come true, and if you have any doubt as to the significance of that, consider this: Ferrari's share price rose more than 12 percent when news of the move became public.

38. Max Verstappen

Formula 1 World Champion in 2021, 2022, and 2023

2023 Rank: Unranked

The Formula 1 driver for Red Bull Racing continued to hone his skills and raw talent, culminating in 10 Grand Prix wins during the 2021 season for his first crowning as F1 World Drivers' Champion, a feat he would repeat in 2022 by winning a then-record 15 times and in 2023 by taking an incredible 19 of 22 races. The seemingly unstoppable Dutch driver is set to remain with Red Bull through the 2028 season. Admonished early in his F1 career for his aggressive driving, he continued to learn from his mistakes and came to dominate his field, which had been led by Lewis Hamilton. He is widely considered one of the quickest Formula 1 drivers ever.

37. Magnus Östberg

Mercedes-Benz Chief Software Officer

2023 Rank: 6

Software has become the key to keeping future vehicles fresh, differentiated, and able to offer myriad features, some of which customers will pay extra for. Östberg oversees Mercedes' giant Electric Software Hub in Germany with more than 1,000 engineers working with millions of lines of code. Of course, with software comes bugs, making his job both crucial and difficult. But there are payoffs, such as achieving Level 3 autonomous driving and being the first automaker allowed to deploy it in Germany and the U.S.

36. Michael Simcoe

General Motors Senior Vice President of Global Design

2023 Rank: 18

Simcoe has been head of global design long enough that the new vehicles we're seeing today bear his mark from their inception. Many of them are EVs, from the GMC Hummer and Chevy Silverado EV to the Chevy Blazer EV and Equinox EV, and from BrightDrop's commercial vans to Cadillac's Lyriq and high-luxe Celestiq. One of his team's latest creations is the 2025 Cadillac Optiq electric subcompact crossover, which brings luxury to a lower price point while offering a large, curved LCD screen and special fabric treatments. For gas-powered vehicles, he has been updating the core of the lineup. Simcoe has slid nicely into the big shoes left by the retired Ed Welburn.

35. Mate Rimac

Rimac Group, Bugatti Rimac, Rimac Technologies CEO

2023 Rank: 26

This young automotive exec has accomplished a lot in a short time. The 36-year-old is CEO of multiple companies that collectively produce Bugatti and Rimac brand vehicles, as well as battery systems, powertrains, electronics, and infotainment systems for other supercars. He has built a new R&D and manufacturing campus in Croatia and is adding battery production, energy storage, and robotaxis to his ever-growing list of ventures. The Rimac Nevera hypercar claimed 23 new records in one day in 2023, including hitting 60 mph in 1.74 seconds, and Mate is working on a hybrid supercar for Bugatti. He also inked a deal for Bugattis and Rimacs to be imported and sold in the U.S. by Volkswagen Group of America.

34. RJ Scaringe

Rivian Founder and CEO

2023 Rank: 21

Manufacturing is hard and expensive, but Rivian isn't giving up. Once it moved past production problems and supply issues early in the year, Rivian went on to increase production by 135 percent, building 57,000 vehicles and delivering about 50,000, making it a poster child for growth. The Rivian R1S outpaced both the Tesla Model X and the Ford F-150 Lightning in the 2023 sales race. The startup still loses money on each vehicle, but the losses continue to be reduced. Rivian is retooling to make the next generation of R1 vehicles less costly to manufacture and is building a new plant in Georgia to make midsize vehicles on the smaller R2 platform, starting in 2026.

33. Ralph Gilles

Stellantis Head of Design

2023 Rank: 16

In 2023, at the age of 52, Gilles became the youngest winner of the EyesOnDesign Lifetime Design Achievement Award, a global honor chosen by past winners—a who's who of the industry. Gilles' selection was by a near-unanimous vote by his peers, who see the Stellantis designer as a superstar. An ambassador for diversity, Gilles became only the second Black American to receive the award. After almost 32 years with Chrysler under an array of corporate parents, he has led the design of many iconic vehicles and is now helping sketch a future populated by electric vehicles.

32. Nick Katcherian

General Motors Vehicle Chief Engineer

2023 Rank: Unranked

Katcherian is a versatile guy. He's now chief engineer for GM's next-generation full-size SUVs after having overseen the company's newest midsize trucks. It's his work on the third-generation Chevrolet Colorado, the 2024MotorTrendTruck of the Year, that caught our attention. We applaud the diversity of the lineup: five trims, including the WT, LT, Z71, Trail Boss, and magnificent ZR2 off-roader. Katcherian and team have created a world-class truck whether you use it on the pavement or in the dirt.

31. Domagoj Dukec

BMW Head of Design

2023 Rank: Unranked

As head of design for the BMW brand since 2019, Dukec is responsible for BMW's future. From the BMW Vision iNext in 2020 to the BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept sedan last year, Dukec has set the direction of the new EV lineup going forward. Incorporating an elegant—and downsized—new take on the kidney grille and a glass roof, as well as yellow corduroy seats, shag carpet, a floating center console, and Panoramic Vision across the entire windshield, the Neue Klasse is fresh and futuristic but not over the top. These peeks at BMW's future came as Dukec was also busy overseeing today's eighth-generation 5 Series, a new X2, and more.

30. Jim Rowan

Volvo Cars CEO

2023 Rank: 36

The man from BlackBerry and Dyson has only been at the helm of Volvo since 2022 but has wasted no time putting his stamp on the automaker with a push toward EVs and a drive to bolster a brand he believes is undervalued. All of that could change with the Volvo EX30, an entry-level SUV that could be the first EV for many people. Stylish and one of the most affordable electric SUVs on the market (starting price: less than $35,000), the EX30 could catapult Volvo's fortunes as the automaker moves to become an all-electric brand by the end of the decade. Rowan led Volvo to record sales and operating profit in 2023.

29. Koji Sato

Toyota Motor Company President

2023 Rank: Unranked

The former Lexus and Gazoo Racing chief with bona fide gearhead credentials was handpicked by Akio Toyoda to succeed him as Toyota president. Sato moved beyond Toyoda's shadow with a more aggressive push to EVs, a shift his predecessor resisted, and which generated a backlash against the automaker for failing to step up enough in preventing climate change. In the U.S., Toyota expanded yet again with the planned battery production volume at its facility in North Carolina. What started as a $1.2 billion investment has grown to $8 billion.

28. Ola Källenius

Mercedes-Benz CEO

2023 Rank: 17

The savvy CEO is orchestrating the transition of the company that essentially invented the internal combustion engine to an automaker whose new vehicle architectures from 2025 forward will be electric-only. But the realist expects ICE vehicles to be offered for many years to come, and investment in engines could even continue through much of the decade. Mercedes is also producing its own electric drivetrains and developing its own software, seen as key to differentiating the vehicles of tomorrow, which will increasingly become defined by their software.

27. Karim Habib

Hyundai Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design

2023 Rank: 44

Hyundai Motor Group's creation of a new global design division to expand EV design and add other forms of mobility has given Habib new duties. He now leads the new Kia global design technical unit, where he will continue to push the envelope with cool models like the Kia EV6 and EV9, all while keeping ICE models like the Telluride fresh, moving the brand upmarket, and adding new projects that include robots, purpose-built vehicles, and things that can fly.

26. SangYup Lee

Hyundai Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design

2023 Rank: 28

As Habib does with Kia, Lee leads the new Hyundai and Genesis global design technical unit, which explores all types of mobility, while keeping all his other design duties and overseeing a new Genesis design center charged with establishing a distinct identity for that brand. It's all testament to Lee's skills as a designer who's not afraid to take risks. He has overseen a stellar lineup of ICE and electric vehicles, and we can't wait to see what he does with a flying car.

25. Emily Schubert

Apple Senior Engineering Manager, Car Experience

2023 Rank: 39

Almost every new car in the U.S. comes with Apple CarPlay installed, and surveys show that as many as four out of five car buyers would not buy a vehicle that didn't support the phone mirroring tech. That figure could decrease as Tesla, GM, and others choose to not make it available in new EVs, but CarPlay's popularity is not expected to plunge anytime soon. Engineers like Schubert will add more appealing functionality with each new generation to ensure it remains a must-have feature. CarPlay will soon be more integrated than ever before, adding the ability in certain manufacturers' models to take over all the screens while still allowing control of key vehicle functions in a single slick, Apple-curated interface.

24. Oliver Blume

Volkswagen AG and Porsche CEO

2023 Rank: 13

Leading Porsche as well as parent Volkswagen was a controversial move initially, but Blume has tucked into his workload while trying to clean up the mess in Aisle 9—the Cariad software unit—and get Audi back on track. Blume brought new executives into Cariad with marching orders to focus on immediate launches rather than future projects and plants. Audi needed to get the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform right to clear the way for the launch of new products, including the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan EV. Audi also needs to become more competitive in China. Under Blume, Porsche has been performing well and expanded the Cayenne lineup to include three plug-in hybrid choices while continuing to invest in the 911.

23. Markus Schäfer

Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer, Head of Development and Procurement

2023 Rank: Unranked

Take that, Tesla: Mercedes-Benz got the first Level 3 autonomous driving approvals for Europe and the United States. Schäfer's team developed Mercedes Drive Pilot, offered initially on the S-Class and EQS sedans, for hands-free use in California and Nevada—and your eyes do not have to be on the road. There are conditions and limitations, but plans are to expand the mapped highways and reduce restrictions. Mercedes, in partnership with Bosch, also was first to receive commercial approval for a Level 4 system with its Automated Valet Parking service in Germany, where cars park themselves at the Stuttgart airport and can later be summoned to return.

22. Peter Rawlinson

Lucid Motors CEO

2023 Rank: 15

Under the genius of Rawlinson, Lucid revealed the Gravity, a three-row SUV boasting more than 800 horsepower and 400 miles of range with flexible seating for five to seven passengers. It is slated to go on sale in the second half of 2024. Rawlinson's Lucid is a tech leader. The struggles, as for any startup, are on the financial end. But Lucid perseveres and continues to grow. It just expanded capacity at the plant in Arizona, adding a new production line to build the Gravity, and there is a midsize car in the works.

21. Toshihiro Mibe

Honda President and CEO

2023 Rank: 27

Under Mibe, Honda is sorting out its multipronged EV strategy, ending a partnership with GM to jointly develop affordable EVs after it produced just two SUVs for the Japanese company: the Honda Prologueand Acura ZDX. Honda is concentrating on its own EV development, including the 0 Series program, which starts with a large sedan and is expected to include a sports car. More open to collaboration than his predecessor, Mibe continues to work with GM on hydrogen fuel cells and has developed the Afeela EV with Sony. And Honda got us all excited to ride a Motocompacto.

20. Doug Field

Ford Chief Advanced Product Development and Technology Officer

2023 Rank: 5

The former Apple and Tesla executive continues to drive innovation at startup speed in developing electric vehicles, creating digital platforms and software for Ford's entire product lineup, leading the company's vehicle and digital design studios, and acting as a Pied Piper in attracting new talent. In December he bought $2 million worth of Ford shares, a massive show of confidence in the future of a company he's working hard to transform with electric and connected cars that boast dazzling new features.

19. Luc Donckerwolke

Hyundai Motor Group President, Chief Creative Officer

2023 Rank: 3

As if he didn't have enough responsibilities, Donckerwolke's latest assignment is to lead the Hyundai Group's new Global Design Division as chief design officer. His business cards need smaller print to fit all his roles. This latest assignment means he's overseeing the series of exciting new vehicles, both electric and with internal combustion engines, that keep rolling out for the Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia brands. They are distinct, eye-catching, and not afraid to take risks and innovate, with intriguing lines, signature lighting, and clever packaging.

18. Frank Weber

BMW Member of Board of Management, Development Chief Technology Officer

2023 Rank: Unranked

Weber is keeping the combustion engine fires burning at BMW while working on the future technologies arriving on the series of Neue Klasse vehicles that start rolling out in 2025. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept showcases the almost production-ready tech on the new modular electric platform. That includes BMW's sixth-generation eDrive, which has new battery tech such as cylindrical cells with greater density that the automaker says will improve range by 30 percent, charge 30 percent faster, and improve efficiency by 25 percent when Neue Klasse vehicles become available in 2025.

17. Mary Barra

General Motors Chair and CEO

2023 Rank: 2

Barra has now been in the top job for 10 years, surprising perhaps to those who thought her post-bankruptcy tenure was undeserved or would be short lived. But she has recast the culture, garnered record profits, fixed some of the messes, put out a lot of fires, and pivoted the company to EVs. It has not been without hiccups, pullbacks, a strike, and personal attacks, but the staunch executive rarely backs down. When faced with problems like software bugs with EVs and a scandal with self-driving division Cruise, she calibrates and moves on, providing a steady and inclusive hand in oft-turbulent times.

16. Li Shufu

Zhejiang Geely, Volvo Cars, and Lynk & Co. Chairman

2023 Rank: 14

Li Shufu is called "the Chinese Henry Ford" for creating an automotive empire from nothing. The tenacious businessman known for bold moves and decisions founded Geely, one of the largest private automakers in China, and has since added Swedish Volvo and Polestar, Lotus, Smart, the London Electric Vehicle Company, and more. He is developing a battery swap station network in China with Nio, selling Chinese-made Polestars and Volvos in the U.S., and will launch his own satellites to support the driver assistance systems in his cars. He also has stakes in Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin Lagonda, and he's working with Renault on powertrains.

15. Jose Muñoz

Hyundai Motor Company President and Global Chief Operating Officer, CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America

2023 Rank: 10

Muñoz oversees the Korean giant's global operations while also acting as CEO of the Hyundai and Genesis brands in North America, a key market for the automaker. Hyundai is investing $12.6 billion in the U.S. by 2025, including a new battery plant and an assembly plant with capacity to build six electric models for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. The brands continue to grow and establish themselves as EV leaders, making them a long-term threat to frontrunning Tesla. The Korean brands also continue to offer a full lineup of ICE, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In 2023 the Hyundai Group jumped Stellantis to become the fourth top-selling automaker in the U.S.

14. Marie Louise "Missy" Cummings

Professor and Director, George Mason University Autonomy and Robotics Center

2023 Rank: Unranked

The former fighter pilot is an international expert in autonomous systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence, as well as part of the departments of mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science at George Mason (and before that at Duke University). A transportation watchdog, Cummings had a stint as a safety adviser for NHTSA. The fierce advocate has been critical of Tesla, Cruise, Waymo, and self-driving vehicles in general, citing research showing robotaxis are more likely to crash than vehicles with human drivers. She raised the ire of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his followers but has not shirked the fight or ceased raising concerns, armed with her findings.

13. Akio Toyoda

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman

2023 Rank: 30

Toyoda has been somewhat pilloried for his skepticism regarding full electric vehicles, arguing a mixed approach of EVs, hybrids, hydrogen, and more efficient gas-powered vehicles will have a bigger impact on reducing emissions and helping the environment in the near term. With customers proving slower than forecast to adopt pure EVs and other automakers pulling back EV plans and forecasts, Toyoda looks prescient. The man behind the mantra "no more boring cars" continues to make his mark, as evidenced by the 2024MotorTrendCar of the Year-winning Toyota Prius, which expertly blends efficiency, style, and improved performance.

12. Jim Farley

Ford CEO

2023 Rank: 11

Farley is a shrewd strategist who has shown expertise in predicting the path forward but who can also pivot quickly if circumstances warrant. He continues to pursue lower-cost and higher-tech next-generation EVs, which he sees as the future. But he was not shy about reducing a planned $12 billion in EV development, cutting EV production, and delaying construction of a second battery plant in Kentucky amid consumer demand that remains in favor of internal combustion engines. He also deserves kudos for leading the industry push to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS), a move virtually every other automaker followed.

11. Carlos Tavares

Stellantis CEO

2023 Rank: 4

Tavares has figured out how to make money while managing 14 brands as they transition to EVs. He is a leader who's not afraid to speak out or shake things up on his management team if the situation warrants. The blunt CEO talked tough during UAW negotiations, cut production and sales of popular gas-powered vehicles in the U.S. where needed to meet California emissions rules, and has been vocal about the impending demise of some EV startups, all while executing a business plan centered on ensuring electrified vehicles are profitable. He continues to roll out EVs, especially in Europe, under his Dare Forward plan to grow EV sales and revenue, cutting costs where necessary to maintain impressive profit margins.

10. Kwang-mo Koo

LG Group Chairman

2023 Rank: 20

Koo may not be a household name, but he has an oversized influence on the auto industry as head of the South Korean conglomerate that operates key subsidiaries LG Chem, LG Energy Solution, and LG Electronics. They provide batteries and key components to the auto industry to speed the adoption of EVs and AI, advanced robotics, software, and the latest infotainment systems. Almost six years after taking over the conglomerate at the age of 40, the chairman has become a major player in the auto industry.

9. Kumar Galhotra

Ford Chief Operating Officer

2023 Rank: 46

Galhotra started 2023 as president of Ford Blue, the side of the business that handles the internal combustion vehicles that generates the profit needed to invest in electric vehicles and advanced technologies. He did such a good job that he was promoted to chief operating officer, a position that had been vacant. Galhotra is a quiet, effective, and experienced executive at Ford, now in charge of all global vehicle engineering and cycle planning for ICE and hybrid programs, the supply chain, and manufacturing. In other words, he is the man who must ensure Ford makes quality vehicles that make money.

8. Oliver Zipse

BMW Group Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO

2023 Rank: 12

Zipse's contract was renewed to 2026 so he can oversee the launch of BMW's Neue Klasse platform of EVs starting in 2025. Their arrival will serve as a critical inflection point for the future of BMW. He's also overseeing an overhaul of Mini, and BMW subsidiary Rolls-Royce recently launched the all-electric Spectre coupe. As more EVs roll out for all the brands, BMW Group continues to invest in combustion engines and builds vehicle lines that offer both ICE and electric powertrains in the same plants. Zipse is also bullish on hydrogen.

7. Mark Reuss

General Motors President

2023 Rank: 24

Reuss has been the product guru at GM for a long time, feeding the company's four brands a mix of volume, performance, and even bespoke vehicles that include pickup trucks, SUVs, and good old-fashioned sedans. He has some hits on his hands, including the 2024 MotorTrend Truck of the Year Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup (plus the related GMC Canyon) and the 2024 MotorTrend SUV of the Year Chevy Blazer EV. We were also impressed by contenders like the entry-level Chevy Trax crossover. Reuss also oversaw the splashes made by the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the $350,000 Cadillac Celestiq luxury sedan.

6. Jensen Huang

Nvidia CEO

2023 Rank: 29

One of the most successful companies in the world, the chipmaker founded by Huang became the fifth company in history to pass $1 trillion in value. Nvidia's soaring success is fueled by the artificial intelligence boom. Nvidia makes chips for every piece of technology you can think of in a vehicle and provides the hardware, software, and platforms for autonomous driving. It has also cornered the market for the advanced processors used to power AI. Nvidia created the first AI supercomputer for OpenAI, which it used to educate ChatGPT, one of the buzziest pieces of technology at the moment. Huang is working with suppliers around the world to help Nvidia keep up with demand for its AI hardware.

5. Euisun Chung

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair

2023 Rank: Person of the Year

Chung brings out the best in his company; he's a leader who is hands-on in his interest about what each brand and division are up to but who stops short of micromanaging, focused instead on the big picture. Hyundai Motor has a lot of moving parts, from keeping legacy Hyundai and Kia vehicles fresh to growing the Genesis luxury brand, as well as developing strong lineups of electric vehicles for each that can be sold globally. And he had the original Hyundai Pony Coupe concept resurrected as a showcase of Korean pride and company heritage. Under Chung the company is also advancing hydrogen-powered vehicles, robotics, AI, and e-VTOL passenger vehicles as part of a broad vision for mobility in all forms.

4. Simon Humphries

Toyota Motor Corp. global head of design and chief branding officer

2023 Rank: Unranked

Hats off to the designer of the Toyota Prius, the new Land Cruiser, the Tacoma, and the latest Lexus RX and new TX, to name a few, all part of the reinvigoration of the Japanese automaker's lineup. We're seeing the fruit of Humphries' labors, and the designs he oversees are helping make Toyota more exciting—after decades of promises—while recasting Lexus as a luxury EV brand. Love it or leave it, Toyota even brought the Toyota Crown back to North America, with more to come. Heck, we would have put him on the list for turning the Prius into a beautiful swan alone.

3. Wang Chuanfu

BYD President

2023 Rank: Unranked

China's BYD, for Build Your Dreams, sold more electric vehicles worldwide than Tesla in the fourth quarter and has shown no signs of slowing down—there's little doubt BYD has the competition nervously looking over its shoulder. Founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, it has many brands and solid vehicle offerings such as the BYD Seal and Dolphin, which offer competitive technology at attractively low prices. BYD is a leader in China while expanding in Asia, Latin America, Mexico, and Europe, making everything from small cars to buses, vans, commercial vehicles, and large trucks. The automaker says it can develop a new EV from scratch in 18 months, a plausible claim as it's launched at least eight new EVs since 2019. BYD owns its supply chain from minerals to battery production and reinvests the savings in research and development, making it a formidable competitor.

2. Rebecca Tinucci

Tesla Senior Director of EV Charging

2023 Rank: Unranked

Tinucci not only ensures Tesla owners have good charging experiences but also led the team that successfully negotiated deals with other automakers, starting with Ford and General Motors, to access Tesla's NACS network in the U.S. It's a game changer for the EV industry. The Tesla network is pervasive and ranks as the nation's most reliable, which promises to help address infrastructure issues vexing many owners of EVs from other brands. The move sets up NACS to become the default standard for the industry, generating additional revenue for Tesla and giving it access to federal infrastructure funding.

UAW President Shawn Fain Is the 2024 MotorTrend Person of the Year

The tenacity of one man has impacted a nation.

CLICK HERE to read more about why we named Fain our latest Person of the Year.