A handful of C-suite roles change in auto industry this week

In the past few days, significant roles in the automotive industry have shuffled. The moves impact major carmakers like Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler as well as tech companies like Apple. For all the hires involved, it centers on growing their brands through unprecedented changes.

Doug Field joins Ford

Ford has procured another great mind in the automotive industry to fill the newly created role of Chief Advanced Technology and Embedded Systems Officer. Doug Field has taken on the position effective September 7 as the carmaker moves toward the “next generation of Ford’s connected products”. Field is tasked with some of the most pivotal aspects of the car ownership experience in how customers interact with their vehicles and their surroundings. He reports to President and CEO Jim Farley.

In the news release, Ford CEO Jim Farley said, “Doug is one of the world’s most respected engineering and product design leaders and has been a driving force behind breakthrough products across auto, tech, and mobility, including at Apple, Tesla, and Segway,” Farley said. “His talent and commitment to innovation that improves customers’ lives will be invaluable as we build out our Ford+ plan to deliver awesome products, always-on customer relationships, and ever-improving user experiences. We are thrilled Doug chose to join Ford and help write the next amazing chapter of this great company.”

Field’s move away from Apple casts shade on the tech company’s viability in the car market, especially as news around the Apple Car has been quiet for some time.

Christine Feuell takes CEO role at Chrysler

Since the merger that created Stellantis, the position of the chief executive officer at Chrysler has been vacant but it is no longer. Christine Feuell has joined the company as the CEO for the Chrysler brand effective September 13. She makes the move from Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions where she held the position of Chief Commercial Officer. Prior, she was Global Vice President of marketing at Adient, a “global Tier 1 automotive seating and interiors supplier”. And from 1994 to 2006, Feuell worked in various departments for Ford Motor Company.

Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, said, “Christine heading Chrysler is great news for Stellantis and I’m convinced that she will play an integral and strategic role in setting the new impetus and direction for this iconic brand and unleash its great potential.”

Feuell’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Chrysler brand. Tavares has stated that each of the Stellantis brands will be funded for ten years to determine viability, and Feuell’s tenure will help define the Chrysler brand and its legacy going forward.

Senol Bayrak goes stateside for Mercedes-Benz

At Mercedes-Benz USA, Adam Chamberlain will be leaving his position as Vice President of Sales and Product Management as of Nov 1. Taking over the role is Senol Bayrak, an industry veteran with 17 years of experience at Daimler. He’s been deployed most recently in Stuttgart, Germany as the director of product management for SUV and Electric models. Previously, Bayrak was posted in Beijing where he served as the head of corporate communications in the region

Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Dimitris Psillakis said, “Senol is an experienced and enterprising leader who will help accelerate our transformation required for an electric future.”

Senol Bayrak takes on the MBUSA position at a tumultuous time in the industry as production is strained from the chip shortage. Disruptions in vehicle production plague virtually every carmaker and the 2022 model year for Mercedes-Benz will see limited V8 engines produced as a result of chip constraints.

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