Bob Laishley leaves Caterham as parent firm takes more control

Role: President and managing director

Toyota has appointed Luigi Ksawery Luca as the new boss of its UK division.

The Italian will take on the role from 1 January, succeeding Scott Thompson who has been at the helm since the start of 2024. Thompson will return to Toyota Australia.

Luca has been at Toyota GB since September, where he has been in an executive advisor post. Previously he worked for Toyota Motor Europe as vice-president of customer experience and business transformation and, prior to that, was boss of Toyota Italy.  

Luca said: “Scott has been an inspirational leader, successfully implementing our multipath strategy and navigating the challenges and opportunities of the dynamic UK market.

"I look forward to stepping into the role, grasping the opportunities that the evolution of the UK market provides and creating further synergies between UK-based Toyota companies.”

Name: Peter Kronschnabl

Company: Genesis

Role: Europe MD

Genesis has named Peter Kronschnabl as its new Europe managing director, succeeding Xavier Martinet, who had been leading the brand alongside his responsibilities as Hyundai Motor Europe CEO. 

Kronschnabl joins the Korean firm after 30 years with BMW, during which time he led the German brand's operations in markets including Africa, the Caribbean, India, Russia, Benelux and Japan.

Most recently, he was BMW's vice president of market development and special sales, a role in which he led the brand's expansion into emerging markets - experience that will no doubt serve him well as he steers Hyundai's premium marque into crucial new global markets.

Genesis recently confirmed a dramatic expansion of its European market coverage, with plans to launch in France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands from early next year, having already established itself in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.

Kronschnabl will also be at the helm as Genesis takes to the grid for the first time in the World Endurance Championship next year, launches the GV60 Magma as its first dedicated performance car and introduces a new range of hybrid models. 

Kronschnabl said: "Genesis is an exciting brand with strong foundations, a passionate team and a unique position in the market. With its distinct Korean spirit, design-driven performance values and a premium all-electric model line-up, I look forward to replicating the customer demand and growing success seen already in Korea and the US.  

"The future Magma and hybrid products, Genesis Magma Racing programme and market expansion plans will all provide great opportunities to really drive Genesis into its next chapter in Europe.”

Name: Jim Rowan

Company: Lotus

Role: Board member

Former Volvo CEO Jim Rowan has been appointed to the board of Lotus.

The Scotsman stepped down from the helm of Volvo in March following a tenure that lasted three years. He was replaced by his predecessor, Håkan Samuelsson, on an interim basis.

Rowan has now moved to Lotus, which is also owned by Geely. He joins during a period of uncertainty at the British-Chinese brand, which includes job cuts and suggestions it could end production at Hethel.

Writing on social media platform LinkedIn, the Scotsman said Lotus is “one of the few car brands today with real heritage”.

He added: “Today the company has some of the most advanced hybrid and pure EV propulsion and software technology in the world. 

“With the full support of the Geely group, the company is well positioned for the challenges and opportunities that face today’s global automotive industry.”

Name: Luca di Montezemolo, Torsten Müller-Ötvös

Company: McLaren Group Holdings

Roles: Director

McLaren Group Holdings, the new firm born from the merger of McLaren Automotive and EV start-up Forseven, has bolstered its board of directors by appointing industry heavyweights Luca di Montezemolo and Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

Di Montezemolo, pictured above, led Ferrari from 1991 to 2014 and was responsible from its transformation from a struggling supercar boutique into one of the industry's most influential – and profitable – names.

Under di Montezemolo, it went from building maligned models such as the Mondial and 348 to world-beating driver's machines including the F355 and 550 Maranello and enjoyed long periods of domination in Formula 1.

He resigned from the company following a clash with Sergio Marchionne, FCA Automobiles' then boss, resisting Marchionne's desire to dramatically expand the brand's sales.

Di Montezemolo's appointment at McLaren marks his return to the automotive industry after more than a decade – albeit in what appears to be an advisory role, rather than being involved in the day-to-day running of the company.

Müller-Ötvös, pictured below, joins McLaren after having retired as CEO of Rolls-Royce in November 2023.

He grew the ultra-luxury marque's annual sales sixfold over his 14-year tenure, introducing new models such as the Wraith coupé, Dawn convertible, Cullinan SUV and Spectre EV.

However, he also supercharged its profitability, majoring on personalisation of its cars and the production of entirely bespoke models for its most loyal customers.

His experience in the luxury market will likely prove vital as McLaren looks to grow beyond producing solely supercars, entering new segments.

Name: Fernando Andreu

Company: Stellantis

Role: Ellesmere Port plant director

Fernando Andreu has been appointed the new director of Stellantis’s Ellesmere Port plant.

He takes over the role while still holding the position of plant director of Luton, despite the former closing in the spring as part of a move by Stellantis to consolidate its UK manufacturing footprint.

As part of his role, Andreu will oversee the introduction of Stellantis’s new range of medium-size electric vans, produced at the plant following a £50 million upgrade. Small electric vans are already produced there.

Andreu takes over from Autocar Great Women Awards winner Diane Miller, who becomes the head of Stellantis UK’s parts distribution centre, following the retirement of Jamie Craig after 43 years.

Miller said: “I would like to thank all my colleagues at Ellesmere Port, whose hard work and support for the past three years has enabled the plant to lead the way in UK electric vehicle production.

"I am excited to take on the opportunity to lead our new parts distribution centre, building on the strong foundations left by Jamie and continuing to deliver an exceptional service for our customers across the UK and Ireland.”

Stellantis UK MD Eurig Druce said: “With the appointment of Fernando and Diane to their new roles, I’m confident we have the very best team in place as we establish Ellesmere Port as our all-electric UK LCV hub and the centre of our UK parts operation.

"After over four decades of service, culminating in the creation of our new parts distribution centre, I’d also like to thank Jamie Craig for his dedication to the business and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement.”

Name: Werner Tietz

Company: Volkswagen Group

Role: Head of group research and development

Seat and Cupra R&D boss Werner Tietz has been promoted to the same position for the wider Volkswagen Group, replacing Michael Steiner.

Tietz has worked within the Volkswagen Group since 1994, having cut his teeth at Audi before becoming head of body and trim for Porsche in 2011. He worked on projects such as the Taycan concept before moving to Bentley in 2018. He was named executive vice-president of R&D for Seat and Cupra in 2020.