The 2025 MotorTrend Energy List: The Auto Industry’s Most Influential Of us, Good and Defective

marketwatchinvestor Team February 28, 2025

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The 2025 MotorTrend Energy List: The Auto Industry’s Most Influential Of us, Good and Defective

It used to be a three hundred and sixty five days of politics and turmoil, retrenching and innovating, collaborations, successes, and failures. The alternate peaceable pursued electric vehicles however with adjusted timelines resulting in deliberate product delays and a greater emphasis on extra life like EVs. Funding in inner combustion engines and hybrids modified into a greater precedence to bridge the gap to an all-EV future. Volkswagen partnered with Rivian to tackle its intention mess. Honda and Nissan launched a attainable merger sooner than calling all of it off. Fisker filed for economic slay. Stellantis lost its CEO. Tesla modified into a thousand billion-dollar firm. A cyberattack in terms of shut down dealerships all the intention via the U.S., and all people looks to be panicked of tariffs and Chinese language automakers. 2025 is shaping up to be mighty extra dramatic, and in the relief of all of it are humans making choices, executing plans, and rethinking suggestions. Our Energy List acknowledges the 50 most influential personalities of 2024, for better or worse—and is topped by the 2025 MotorTrend Particular person of the Year.

2024 Energy List | 2024 Particular person of the Year

50. Carlos Tavares • Outmoded Stellantis CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 11

Stellantis famously imploded over the course of the three hundred and sixty five days, going from enviable earnings margins to missteps resulting in high inventories, a fall in gross sales and earnings, alienated dealers and suppliers, and Tavares at closing resigning.

49. Pham Nhat Vuong • VinGroup Chairman, VinFast CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 47

VinFast took lumps for introducing vehicles sooner than they were spicy by North American requirements, however Vuong continues to put money into his blueprint of constructing the Vietnamese EV startup a world automaker.

48. Henrik Fisker • Fisker CEO • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

This used to be the dressmaker’s 2nd startup and 2nd economic slay, unfolding in dramatic kind after launching its first car, the Fisker Ocean, and teasing extra gadgets.

47. Lawrence Stroll • Aston Martin Chairman • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Aston Martin is launching serene vehicles and enjoying a resurgence below Stroll with a fresh DB12, Vantage, Vanquish, Valhalla hypercar, and updated DBX.

46. Seetarama “Swamy” Kotagiri • Magna World CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 46

His conservative components saved Magna smartly balanced to enhance ICE and EV merchandise for its customers. The one hiccup: The contract manufacturing alternate lost Fisker, which declared economic slay, as a shopper.

45. Stella Li • BYD Government Vice President • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Stella Li is in the relief of the realm growth of the Chinese language automaker that’s No. 1 in its house market, making wide inroads in Europe, and giving North American firms house off to in actuality feel nervous.

44. Mate Rimac • Rimac Neighborhood President, Bugatti Rimac and Rimac Technology CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 35

Recent launches contain the Bugatti Tourbillon, updated Rimac Nevera and Nevera R, a original battery, and e-axle as his many agencies continue to develop.

43. Markus Schäfer • Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer, Head of Kind and Procurement • 2024 Corrupt: 23

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX embodies Schäfer’s efforts to rob EVs to the next stage with mind-boggling fluctuate, the most fresh tech, and AI destined for production vehicles.

42. McKeel Hagerty • Hagerty CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 48

Hagerty has become an automotive standard of living label with its car events, collector car insurance protection, historic car registry, and media presence.

41. Roger Penske • Penske Corporation CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 49

Volkswagen tapped Penske’s seller neighborhood to promote the sporty Cupra label in the U.S. by the cease of the decade, a switch that also takes honest appropriate thing about Penske’s motorsports pedigree.

40. Jim Rowan • Volvo Autos CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 30

Volvo dropped plans to be an electrical-finest label by 2030, extending the XC90’s lifestyles and helping attain file world gross sales alongside the originate of the electrical EX30.

39. Marek Reichmann • Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Aston launched the swish fresh Vanquish two-seat out of the ordinary tourer with its throaty twin-turbo V-12, reaffirming the storied marque’s recognition as a number one purveyor of class.

38. Koji Sato • Toyota Motor Firm President • 2024 Corrupt: 29

Sales, production, and market part finished files, with Toyota ending the three hundred and sixty five days because the stop-promoting automaker. However Sato pulled relief on his electric-first mentality whereas peaceable pursuing gigacasting and sturdy-notify batteries.

37. Peter Rawlinson • Lucid Motors CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 22

Lucid followed up its technological tour de power Air sedans with the Gravity SUV, and the CEO took shipping of 1 as production ramped up. Rawlinson launched his retirement from as CEO on February 25 this three hundred and sixty five days, though-provoking to an advisory role.

36. Doug Field • Ford Chief Developed Product Kind and Technology Officer • 2024 Corrupt: 20

If the display veil in the Lincoln Nautilus is any indication, Ford’s digital future is very promising.

35. Karim Habib • Head of Kia Global Invent and the Kia Invent Center • 2024 Corrupt: 27

The Kia EV9 sets the usual for 3-row electric EVs, and Habib continues to advance originate with the EV3 SUV and EV4 sedan concepts.

34. Joe Tolkacz • Ramcharger Propulsion Programs Chief Engineer • 2024 Corrupt: 40

Hobby in the fluctuate-extender intention is so high that Ram pulled gross sales of the Ramcharger hybrid sooner than the REV pure electric truck.

33. Frank Weber • BMW Member of the Board of Administration, Kind • 2024 Corrupt: 18

Weber is the face of BMW pattern, alongside side the Neue Klasse family and all its tech, such because the modern infotainment intention.

32. Li Shufu • Zhejiang Geely, Volvo Autos, Lynk & Co. Chairman • 2024 Corrupt: 16

He’s a significant world player with his fingers on a various neighborhood of brands and a inviting specialise in EVs and driver assistance abilities.

31. Kumar Galhotra • Ford Chief Working Officer • 2024 Corrupt: 9

Galhotra oversees engineering, product pattern, manufacturing, and provide chain—rather mighty all the pieces however gross sales and marketing—making him key to getting quality merchandise to market.

30. Ralph Gilles • Stellantis Head of Invent • 2024 Corrupt: 33

The longtime dressmaker has sunk his teeth into the fresh wave of EVs, showcasing mettlesome originate.

29. Luc Donckerwolke • Hyundai Motor Neighborhood Chief Creative Officer • 2024 Corrupt: 19

No longer advise material to supervise the improbable styling of the Korean brands, Donckerwolke also designed the Genesis Hypercar prototype to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

28. Simon Humphries • Toyota Motor Corp. Global Head of Invent and Chief Branding Officer • 2024 Corrupt: 4

Here is the man in the relief of rather numerous Toyota’s originate repositioning, from the sexy Prius to the rugged Land Cruiser and the lifted Crown.

27. Max Verstappen • Formula 1 World Champion in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 • 2024 Corrupt: 38

F1’s recognition continues unabated, with Cadillac signing up to become the most fresh producer entrant initiating in 2026. Purple Bull Racing driver Verstappen—the reigning champion with four consecutive titles—has become globally recognizable because the game’s high canines and for his ruthless on-note aggression.

26. John Elkann • Stellantis Chairman • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

With the resignation of Stellantis CEO Tavares, Elkann stepped in to settle the troops; restore morale, belief, and relationships; and return the firm to balance and profitability whereas the note for a fresh CEO continues.

25. Scott Keogh • Scout Motors CEO • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Reservations are originate for the Scout Traveler SUV and Terra pickup, which arrive in 2027 as an EV or prolonged-fluctuate hybrid, both being supplied by means of explain gross sales—pending litigation from Volkswagen dealers combating this.

24. Kwang-mo Koo • LG Neighborhood Chairman • 2024 Corrupt: 10

This Korean conglomerate offers the most indispensable substances for this day’s vehicles, alongside side batteries, electronics, infotainment systems, robotics, intention, and AI.

23. Jim Farley • Ford Motor Co. CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 12

Continually finding out the tea leaves, Farley is countering the specter of Chinese language gadgets by dropping plans for 3-row electric SUVs in resolve on of a family of additional life like electric vehicles.

22. Ola Källenius • Mercedes-Benz CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 28

Beneath Källenius, Mercedes continues to put money into combustion engines whereas launching an electrical G-Class plus the 2025 MotorTrend Automobile of the Year E-Class, working on fresh EV platforms, and upgrading the firm’s Diploma 3 self ample utilizing intention.

21. Model Reuss • Fashioned Motors President • 2024 Corrupt: 7

Cadillac’s portfolio is increasing, and the emblem is headed to Formula 1. Refreshed mainstream gadgets are extra worthwhile as EVs continue to roll out. Oh, and the Corvette ZR1 is abominable lickety-split.

20. Claudia Marquez • Hyundai Motor The USA Chief Working Officer • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Marquez suggested the Genesis label to fresh heights in North The USA and used to be promoted to assemble the an identical for Hyundai.

19. Michael Simcoe • Fashioned Motors Senior Vice President of Global Invent • 2024 Corrupt: 36

Simcoe will retire in July having overseen the transition to EVs, updates to ICE gadgets, and the outlet of a fresh originate campus on the Warren Technical Center.

18. SangYup Lee • Hyundai Government Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Invent • 2024 Corrupt: 26

From the boxy Hyundai Sante Fe to the Genesis Le Mans Hypercar scurry car, Lee oversees a team brimming with ingenious originate tips.

17. Dianne Craig • Lincoln President • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

The lineup is redone, led by the comely Lincoln Nautilus (the 2025 MotorTrend SUV of the Year), making the luxury label relevant again.

16. Antonio Filosa • Stellantis North The USA Chief Working Officer and Global Quality Chief • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

A candidate to become Stellantis CEO, Filosa is working to rebuild relationships with dealers, staff, suppliers, and shoppers in North The USA whereas assuming fresh responsibilities to toughen quality globally.

15. Oliver Zipse • BMW Neighborhood Chairman of the Board of Administration and CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 8

Zipse oversees the originate of BMW’s Neue Klasse platform of EVs with modern styling and tech whereas overhauling Mini and investing in Rolls-Royce.

14. Akio Toyoda • Toyota Motor Co. Chairman • 2024 Corrupt: 13

Toyoda argued for hybrids as a longer-timeframe bridge to EVs. The marketplace agreed, and the explosion of hybrid gross sales saved Toyota because the enviornment’s No. 1 automaker.

13. Toshihiro Mibe • Honda President and CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 21

Honda pulled an have an effect on switch in proposing a merger with Nissan, and possibly Mitsubishi, in 2026 to possess the enviornment’s third-greatest automaker, achieving the scale wished to compete. The talks stalled when Honda reportedly wished to assemble Nissan a subsidiary.

12. Euisun Chung • Hyundai Motor Neighborhood Government Chair • 2024 Corrupt: 5

The alternate magnate is developing a mobility firm and aims for it to be amongst the stop three electric car producers by 2030.

11. Oliver Blume • Volkswagen AG and Porsche CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 24

Porsche retained its stellar efficiency whereas Volkswagen swallowed its pleasure in addressing a gross sales falloff in China and turned to Rivian for intention that its have Cariad unit would possibly possibly possibly also no longer ship.

10. Wang Chuanfu • BYD President • 2024 Corrupt: 3

The pinnacle-promoting label in China since 2022 amid intense competition in the nation, BYD had a world gross sales file of 1.76 million EVs in 2024, narrowing the gap with Tesla because the planet’s bestselling EV automaker. BYD has assorted car producers working disturbed and rethinking how they create and originate electric vehicles with budge, abilities, and an in-house provide chain alongside side batteries. BYD’s inroads into Europe expose its means to compete and potentially dominate.

9. Tekedra Mawakana • Waymo Co-CEO • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Self-utilizing trip-hailing vehicles procure taken a blow with crashes, assorted mishaps, and public backlash resulting in choices by Ford to total Argo AI and GM to disband Cruise. However Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, operates about 650 robotaxis in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, Texas, logging roughly 33 million miles. If Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s political have an effect on eases guidelines, Waymo will attend because it has vehicles on the toll road, whereas Tesla abilities is peaceable no longer spicy to originate a like a flash of Cybercabs. Waymo is teaming with Uber, alongside side vehicles from Chinese language companion Zeekr, and increasing its markets.

8. Shawn Fain • UAW President • 2024 Corrupt: Particular person of the Year

The fiery union president and our 2024 Particular person of the Year did no longer retain Donald Trump from being elected president, however the UAW campaign to rep rid of Stellantis CEO Tavares used to be worthwhile. The UAW’s blueprint of organizing extra vegetation ended in a union on the Volkswagen factory in Tennessee however a failed vote at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama. Fain would possibly be playing hardball to ensure automakers are dwelling up to promises outlined of their collective bargaining agreements and dangerous strike action in the event that they assemble no longer.

7. Jensen Huang • Nvidia CEO • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

The synthetic intelligence chip wide is a Silicon Valley indispensable individual as Nvidia introduces fresh processors, AI supercomputers, robots, and the intelligence wished to scale up self-utilizing, intention-defined vehicles with over-the-air update functionality. Nvidia offers the hardware and intention wished to admire AI’s promise for the next day’s wise vehicles and is working with all most predominant automakers globally. Nvidia isn’t any longer off course to become the first public firm to attain a $4 trillion market capitalization prior to the emergence of China’s DeepSeek AI platform.

6. Tim Kuniskis • Stellantis Ram Model CEO • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

The passionate longtime govt retired as head of Ram and Dodge brands mid-three hundred and sixty five days amid turmoil at Stellantis. Per week after Stellantis CEO Tavares resigned, Kuniskis returned to speed Ram and vowed to sparkling the ship. He’s the poster boy for hope in restoring merchandise, prices, and relationships. He would possibly be guilty of the firm’s most worthwhile vehicles and must manual the transition to EVs, originate an prolonged-fluctuate hybrid, and add a midsize truck. Whereas the CEO job is vacant, Kuniskis insists he isn’t eying it.

5. RJ Scaringe • Rivian CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 34

Rivian had faced the difficulties of being a startup and a minute fish in a giant pond as it struggled to attain volume and stem losses. Then CEO RJ Scaringe struck a wide deal: developing a joint endeavor with Volkswagen that can part intention and electrical tech from the Rivian R2 midsize SUV with future VW gadgets. VW can even part Rivian’s next-generation zonal structure to speed pattern of intention-defined vehicles. This means VW addresses its intention mess whereas Rivian gets mighty-wished money to originate a fresh plant and bring a fresh family of smaller vehicles to market.

4. Mary Barra • Fashioned Motors Chair and CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 17

Mary Barra has suggested GM for 11 years with an iron fist, overseeing an EV transition that stumbled however is relief no longer off course. To handle diminished demand, she delayed some launches and supplied GM’s stake in a battery plant however hasn’t wavered in her dedication to an electrical future. Modest funding in ICE gadgets is paying off: GM used to be No. 1 in U.S. gross sales in 2024, its earnings are sturdy, its stock tag is up, incentives are in test, its EVs are impending profitability, Cadillac is gaining traction, and self-utilizing unit Cruise used to be killed.

3. Donald Trump • United States President • 2024 Corrupt: Unranked

Trump’s re-election throws product plans and suggestions into turmoil amid his many proclamations and unpredictability. Automakers are bracing for fresh guidelines, tariffs, and ripped-up alternate agreements, forcing choices on the scoot for a world alternate that plans issues four or extra years upfront. Tax credits for EVs would possibly possibly possibly also fade away, fossil gasoline exhaust would possibly possibly possibly also very smartly be boosted, emissions guidelines kneecapped, and labor deported. The alternate would possibly possibly possibly also face a logistical nightmare with ingredients that defective many borders. Processes would possibly possibly possibly also very smartly be streamlined, security principles revamped, and the path to self ample vehicles made easier.

2. Elon Musk • Tesla CEO • 2024 Corrupt: 50

Fancy him or disfavor him, his have an effect on is undeniable. Musk has made himself a highly efficient man in the auto alternate, the U.S. govt, and the enviornment, with a bully pulpit from his ownership of X (formerly Twitter, if you occur to one way or the opposite peaceable didn’t know) and the clout to alternate guidelines and policies to feather his have nests. He has made Tesla a thousand billion-dollar firm despite its getting older vehicles, greater competition, and slumping gross sales. The firm’s stock and cost would possibly possibly possibly also continue to upward thrust, however, entirely disconnected from gross sales outcomes or security investigations, basically based mostly thoroughly largely on what Tesla would possibly possibly possibly assemble in the long speed and the promises of its really influential CEO.