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Stefan Weckbach
Taycan Chief Engineer, Porsche
2019 Rank: Unranked
Weckbach is the man behind what
might be the most significant,
ambitious Porsche of all time: its
first electric car that retains the
brand’s ultra-high-performance
DNA. The Taycan has
familial styling cues,
punches you out
of corners like a 911
Turbo, and of fers a
range expected to
exceed 225 miles.Håkan Samuelsson
CEO, Volvo
2019 Rank: 3
Design overhaul—check. Creation of
a more premium brand in Polestar—
check. Big moves to go electric—
check. Now the CEO wants to merge
engine operations with China’s Geely
to create a stand-alone powertrain
supplier. Those cost cuts
can then be used
to fund all these
future plans.Li Shufu
Chairman of Zhejiang Geely,
Volvo Cars, and Lynk & Co.
2019 Rank: 9
This auto czar is bringing his interests
together as Volvo and Geely create
a new stand-alone company to
develop next-generation combustion
engines and hybrid powertrains.
Volvo will focus on electric powertrains
that it can supply to Geely, Lynk &
Co., Lotus, Proton, and LEVC
(London cabs).16
15
11
9
August Achleitner
Vice President Product
Line 911 and 718, Porsche
2019 Rank: Unranked
Mr. 911 calls it a career, but
only after his final work:
the 992 generation of the
sports car he had overseen
for 18 years. Achleitner lovingly
crafted the evolution of the
icon that defines the
automaker, without
losing its elegant lines
14 or performance.10
8
13
J.B. Straubel
Co-Founder and Senior
Adviser, Tesla
2019 Rank: Unranked
The former chief technical
officer at Tesla has stepped
back from day-to-day
authority but will continue to
apply his genius toward core
tech—especially around
batteries, power electronics,
and an expanding network
of superchargers. He is
essential to Tesla’s drive to
retain EV tech leadership.Joy Falotico
Chief Marketing Officer, Ford;
President, Lincoln
2019 Rank: 38
Falotico has overseen the
launch of two more hits for
Lincoln—the compact Corsair
and three-row Aviator—while
upgrading the Nautilus. The
brand now has a strong lineup
that is restoring the storied
Lincoln name. She is also
overseeing Ford’s
restructuring of its
global marketing
and agencies.Eui-Sun Chung
Executive Vice Chairman,
Hyundai Motor Group
2019 Rank: 14
The heir apparent makes all the
right moves, with vehicles marked
by strong design, performance,
packaging, and value. They
source Hyundai steel and smartly
share in-house component sets.
A joint venture with Aptiv will
develop autonomous cars, an
area where Hyundai was
falling behind.Marketer: Alan Bethke
Senior Vice President of
Marketing, Subaru of America
2019 Rank: Unranked
Bethke peddles love.
Responsible for Subaru
marketing, Bethke is steward
of the highly successful
campaign that has boosted
brand awareness and sales for
a decade. The tag line, “Love. It’s
what makes a Subaru a Subaru,”
made it to a skit on SNL
and a question on
Jeopardy!. Say
no more.One to Watch: Mate Rimac
Founder, Rimac Automobili
2019 Rank: Unranked
The Croatian entrepreneur builds
electric hypercars—the $2 million
C Two comes out next year—and
makes advanced high-density
battery systems for other
brands’ high-performance
vehicles. He has partnered with
Seat and received investment
from Porsche and Hyundai.Mike Manley
CEO, FCA
2019 Rank: 12
Since his sudden ascension
to the top job, Manley has
been quietly implementing
the five-year plan, dealing
with sales and diesel legal
messes, and remaining open
to mergers despite a failed
attempt with Renault. He’s
also returning an idled Detroit
plant to production to make
a three-row Jeep Grand
Cherokee.Showman: Charles Gordon-Lennox
Duke of Richmond, founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed
2019 Rank: Unranked
Lord March, as he was previously known, is the founder of the
Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival,
which attract 150,000 enthusiasts a day. It’s a model that could
become the auto show of the future.12
Mike Flewitt
CEO, McLaren
2019 Rank: 20
Flewitt is making McLaren
synonymous with “supercar.”
His latest salvo: the magnificent
Senna, which can deliver a
spiritual awakening to even the
most experienced drivers. The
company continues to
grow its product line,
production, sales,
profits, and stature
under Flewitt’s
steady hand.18
Thomas Ulbrich
Member of the Board of
Management for E-Mobility,
Volkswagen
2019 Rank: 18
V W’s commitment to electric vehicles
is not lip service. The automaker has
started showing some of the 33 models
planned on the Modular Electric
Drive platform. The
Zwickau, Germany,
plant and half the
Chattanooga plant
will be converted
to make electric
vehicles.