From Toyota to Stellantis: leadership changes are causing excitement in the automotive industry — 9 new executives have appeared in a year
In just over a year, nine leading automakers have replaced their CEOs, which are extremely intensive personnel changes as the industry struggles with tariffs, tougher competition from China, and the rapid transition to electric, software-controlled, and artificially intelligent vehicles, Auto reports.
BMW is replacing executives this spring, the new head of Porsche took office on January 1, and since the beginning of 2025, new executives have led Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Renault, Jaguar Land Rover and Hyundai.
Experts say that traditional global automakers are particularly vulnerable because they are slower to adapt to the digital world, while new competitors are multiplying rapidly, increasing risks carefully analyzed by boards of directors and accelerating staff turnover.
Observers argue that the next generation of CEOs requires other skills, especially in software and artificial intelligence, and must be able to quickly change strategy, as well as find sources of income outside the traditional volume of car sales, including potential links to industries such as defense, drones and robotics.the term of office of the General Directors and the appointment of junior candidates.
Koji Sato of Toyota, who was replaced by chief financial officer Kenta Kon on April 1 after three years in the job, said that the current pace makes previous deadlines irrelevant and stressed that he had not made any mistakes, while analysts welcomed this change as a sign of focus in a rapidly changing environment.
At Stellantis, Antonio Filosa inherited a complex portfolio of 14 brands after Carlos Tavares resigned due to disagreements over correcting weak sales and spending money; at Renault, Francois Provo replaced Luca Demeo after his departure.
Analysts warn that big bets can have the opposite effect — recent revaluations of electric vehicles have affected the balance sheets of many companies — so executives should invest in the future without giving up their main source of income, as evidenced by the example of Volvo, which has rehired veteran Haakon Samuelsson, even when other companies are looking.