A New Era in Automotive: CEO Transitions and the Inevitable Transformation Ahead

Over the past year, the global automotive industry has witnessed a remarkable wave of leadership changes. Many major brands have seen their CEOs step down, marking a symbolic transition “from autumn to winter” for the sector — a reflection of how deep and complex the current transformation truly is.

The new leaders are stepping into their roles amid one of the most challenging periods in the industry’s history. Today’s agenda extends far beyond manufacturing; it now encompasses software, electrification, autonomy, and sustainable profitability — all at once.

The key priorities facing the new CEOs are:

1. Survive the price and market share war with minimal damage.

2. Develop software-defined vehicles (SDVs) at the most competitive cost and with the right partners.

3. Build a cost-efficient supply chain for electric and hybrid vehicles.

4. Achieve at least Level 4 autonomy within the next five years through strategic partnerships.

5. Generate sufficient profitability and cash flow while executing all these transformations.

In short, leading an automotive company has never been more demanding. Each CEO must balance the speed of global transformation with the need to maintain competitiveness and long-term value creation.