TOP 50 AUTOMOTIVE THOUGHT LEADERS, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS & FUTURIST CONSULTING EXPERTS

Top 50 automotive thought leaders, keynote speakers and futurist consultants make no bones about how the industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Credit new advances in electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, sustainability, and digitalization. Today’s Top 50 automotive thought leaders list members who are fueling this evolution are redefining what the future of mobility will look like.

Keep in mind you review the readout. Any given Top 50 automotive thought leaders roster is bound to change over time, especially as quickly as the industry is being disrupted.

Noting this, we’re always open to get your own suggestions and thoughts on who should make future editions of the list as well. So by all means, don’t hesitate to share your Top 50 automotive thought leaders recommendations to boot.

In any event, no sense delaying it any further, so drumroll please… Below, you’ll find a readout of Top 50 automotive thought leaders options from the world’s largest market research firms, consulting groups and manufacturers who are driving innovation and change in the global automotive sector.

1. Scott Steinberg – Consultant to 3000 brands, futurist keynote speaker and founder of FutureProof Strategies, providing thoughts on innovation and the future of transportation technologies, including electric and autonomous vehicles.
2. Elon Musk – CEO of Tesla, pioneering the electric vehicle revolution and advancing autonomous driving technologies.
3. Mary Barra – Chairman and CEO of General Motors, driving the company’s electric and autonomous vehicle strategies.
4. Akio Toyoda – President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, leading innovations in hybrid technologies and sustainability.
5. Herbert Diess – CEO of Volkswagen Group, focusing on electric mobility and transforming VW into a leader in the EV market.
6. Jim Farley – CEO of Ford Motor Company, overseeing the shift to electric vehicles and smart mobility solutions.
7. Carlos Tavares – Top 50 automotive thought leaders pick and Chairman and CEO of Stellantis, leading the global automaker’s efforts in electrification and digital transformation.
8. Hildegard Wortmann – Member of the Board of Management at Audi, focusing on electric vehicles and connected car technologies.
9. Ralf Speth – CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, driving innovations in electrification and sustainability.
10. Oliver Zipse – CEO of BMW Group, leading the brand’s efforts in electric mobility and autonomous driving.
11. Jim Hackett – Former CEO of Ford, overseeing Ford’s transition to electric vehicles and the development of autonomous vehicles.
12. Dieter Zetsche – Former CEO of Daimler AG, known for his leadership in launching the EQ electric vehicle brand.
13. Rainer Baake – Executive Vice President of Volkswagen Group, overseeing the global electric vehicle strategy and sustainability initiatives.
14. Guillaume Faury – CEO of Airbus and former head of Peugeot, shaping automotive aerodynamics and innovative powertrains.
15. Peter Rawlinson – CEO of Lucid Motors, redefining luxury EVs and pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle performance.
16. Andrew Palmer – CEO of Aston Martin, combining luxury with electric vehicle solutions and driving technological innovation.
17. Mark Fields – Former CEO of Ford, instrumental in Ford’s strategy for electric and autonomous vehicles.
18. Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida – CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., leading Nissan’s initiatives in EVs, including the Nissan Leaf.
19. Martin Winterkorn – Former CEO of Volkswagen Group, pioneering some of the earliest strategies for EV development.
20. Bernd Pischetsrieder – Former CEO of Volkswagen and BMW, guiding the industry toward future-ready vehicle designs.
21. Toshiyuki Shiga – Vice Chairman of Nissan, playing a pivotal role in global automotive strategy and Nissan’s entry into electric vehicles.
22. Christian Senger – Head of Digital Services at Volkswagen, overseeing the company’s digital and software strategies.
23. Raj Nair – Former EVP of Global Product Development at Ford, driving innovations in mobility and vehicle technology.
24. Yasuhiro Yamauchi – CEO of Subaru Corporation, focusing on electric vehicles and future mobility systems.
25. Michael Lohscheller – CEO of Nikola, working to revolutionize electric truck manufacturing and transportation.
26. Akira Yoshino – Co-founder of the lithium-ion battery, his contributions are fundamental to the electric vehicle revolution.
27. Jim Keller – Head of Autonomous Driving at Tesla, overseeing Tesla’s advancements in self-driving technology.
28. Friedrich Eichiner – CFO of BMW Group, driving the company’s investment in electric mobility and digital transformation.
29. Franz-Josef Paefgen – Former President and CEO of Bugatti, driving the brand’s innovation in high-performance luxury cars.
30. Tim Cook – CEO of Apple, whose company’s interest in car technology and autonomous driving could reshape automotive industries.
31. Don Walker – CEO of Magna International, leading one of the largest automotive suppliers with a focus on EV and autonomous vehicle technologies.
32. Michaela Götz – CEO of Continental AG, shaping the future of mobility with a focus on smart and connected vehicles.
33. Henrik Fisker – CEO of Fisker Automotive, known for electric vehicle designs and sustainable automotive technologies.
34. Bill Ford – Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, advocating for innovation in mobility and environmental sustainability.
35. Carlos Ghosn – Former CEO of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, pivotal in the development of the Nissan Leaf and electric vehicle strategy.
36. Markus Duesmann – CEO of Audi AG, leading Audi’s strategic transition towards electric vehicles and mobility services.
37. Patrick Pélata – Former COO of Renault, responsible for the introduction of electric models like the Renault Zoe.
38. Georg Kacher – Automotive journalist and expert, known for his influence in shaping the future of automotive technologies.
39. Oliver Blume – CEO of Porsche, leading the company’s push into electric sports cars and performance-driven EVs.
40. David McCarty – CEO of GreenPower Motor Company, dedicated to zero-emission electric vehicles, especially in the commercial sector.
41. Stefan Oelrich – Head of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and a key influencer in automotive bio-mobility and healthcare partnerships.
42. Luca de Meo – CEO of Renault, focusing on the transition to electric vehicles and strategic partnerships to innovate the automotive sector.
43. David W. Reilly – CEO of Rivian, overseeing the production of high-performance electric trucks and SUVs.
44. Jim Adler – Managing Director of Toyota AI Ventures, supporting innovations in autonomous driving and mobility solutions.
45. Martin Tomczyk – CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen, driving innovation in automotive technology with a focus on autonomous systems.
46. Nils Schmid – CEO of Daimler AG, focusing on transforming Mercedes-Benz to be a leader in sustainable electric mobility.
47. John Krafcik – Former CEO of Waymo, Google’s self-driving car project, shaping the future of autonomous vehicle technology.
48. Tom Van den Brande – CEO of DAF Trucks, overseeing the company’s move toward electric and autonomous heavy-duty trucks.
49. Günther Schuh – CEO of StreetScooter, advancing the development of electric delivery vehicles and sustainable urban mobility solutions.
50. Derrick B. Smith – Head of Strategic Initiatives at General Motors, helping guide GM’s transition to an electric future.

The world’s Top 50 automotive thought leaders are not only building the future of the industry, but also influencing global efforts to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and embrace cutting-edge technologies. Through extensive work in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and sustainable transportation, SMEs are leading the charge toward a smarter, more sustainable future for mobility worldwide.