Kia appoints new European CEO

Welcome to Movers and Shakers, an Autocar Business feature covering the latest job moves from across the automotive industry.

This page is updated regularly with all the biggest transfers, promotions and departures in the sector, covering everything you need to know.

Name: Soohang Chang

Company: Kia Europe

Role: President and CEO

Soohang Chang has been named president and CEO of Kia Europe. He moves from being head of the Korean car maker’s Middle East and Africa region.

He will officially begin the role on 1 January, taking over from Marc Hedrich, who moves back to his home country to become president of Kia France, a role he held between 2021 and 2023, replacing Tae Kun Yang.

In his new role, Chang is tasked with accelerating Kia’s electrification, which will begin with launching the EV2 – the Korean firm’s new entry-level model, which will be unveiled at the Brussels motor show on 9 January.

“His proven ability to deliver results in diverse markets positions him to navigate the evolving European automotive landscape and drive Kia’s long-term growth in one of the world’s most dynamic regions,” Kia said of Chang.

Of Hedrich, the company said: “His leadership will guide Kia France through its next phase of growth and strengthen the brand’s position in one of Europe’s most competitive markets. His deep understanding of local consumer trends and regulatory dynamics, combined with his prior achievements, make this a strategic move for Kia.”

Name: Alexander Karajlovic

Company: BMW M

Role: Vice-president for development

BMW XM project manager Alexander Karajlovic (pictured above) has been appointed as the new vice-president of development for BMW's M division, following the retirement of Dirk Häcker.

Karajlovic was responsible for the M versions of BMW's SUVs as well as the XM – the go-faster division's first bespoke product since 1978 – between late 2017 and late 2020.

He later managed BMW M's product line-up and was most recently the vice-president of driving experience integration for the BMW Group.

Karajlovic has big shoes to fill in replacing Häcker, who can be credited with much of the M division's success since he took charge of its R&D in 2015.

Since then, the brand has set several sales records and produced benchmark-setting driver's cars, including the previous-generation BMW M5 CS and BMW M2 CS.

Häcker also played a significant role in developing the first battery-electric M-car, the next-generation M3.

Alongside his corporate responsibilities, Häcker was an instructor for the BMW M Driving Experience.

BMW M CEO Frank van Meel said Häcker's retirement is "well earned" and "his name is inextricably linked with an unprecedented product offensive, superior product quality and yearly sales records at BMW M".

Van Meel added that Karajlovic brings a "proven track record of chassis development know-how".

Name: Steve Catlin

Company: Vauxhall

Role: Managing director

Vauxhall MD Steve Catlin has stepped down from the role just six months after being appointed. The British brand said this was due to personal reasons.

Catlin has been replaced by parent company Stellantis’s UK boss, Eurig Druce. He will take on the role alongside his other responsibilities.

It isn't yet known whether Stellantis will look to find a more permanent replacement for Catlin.

On the reason for Druce stepping into the Vauxhall hot seat, Stellantis said it was down to “recognising the importance of the Vauxhall brand to Stellantis UK’s overall performance“.

Druce said: “Vauxhall is a British brand with a proud history. It’s the home brand for the group and, despite an onslaught of new competition, is increasing its market share.”

Druce takes on the role at a pivotal time for Vauxhall as the onslaught of cheaper, Chinese car makers continue to flood into the market.

Just last month, Catlin told Autocar that he wanted the UK government to create "a fair playing field" and look into whether Chinese car makers were using state subsidies to undermine established brands.

In the most recent figures, Vauxhall sat 11th in the UK new car sales standings, notably behind MG and just ahead of Omoda/Jaecoo.

Name: Bob Laishley

Company: Caterham

Role: CEO/COO

Caterham CEO Bob Laishley has stepped down with immediate effect after four and a half years in the role.

He is replaced by Kazuho Takahashi, president and founder of parent company VT Holdings. Day-to-day operations will be managed by chief financial officer and operations director Trevor Steel.

Laishley joined the firm fron Nissan when the Japanese importer group took ownership in 2021. In the role of chief strategic officer, he was tasked with steadying the transition. In 2022, he took on the joint role of CEO and COO, following the retirement of Graham Macdonald.

During his time, Laishley most notably oversaw Caterham’s move to its “game-changing” new Dartford plant last year, which increased capacity to 750 cars a year and opened the firm up to more export markets.

Takahashi said: “I would like to thank Bob, on behalf of everyone at Caterham, for his work over the last four years. He has played an important role in overseeing the move to our new global headquarters in Dartford and securing the long-term future of our iconic car.”

Name: Luigi Ksawery Luca

Company: Toyota UK

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

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.”