#ceo

If he were real, Andy Dufresne would be impressed with Hyundai CEO John Krafcik who despite the obstacles is being named the 2013 Automotive Executive of the Year

Volvo won’t build a flagship sedan to compete with cars like the BMW 7 Series and says its customers wouldn’t be interested in a segment where V8 and V12 engines are the norm. 

New information about the Fisker Atlantic is trickling out through Twitter, suggesting the car will come with a starting price in the $55,000 range. 

You know there’s trouble in paradise when the newly-appointed Australian CEO of Mistubishi calls his company’s products overpriced and wonders why anyone buys them.

Things get complex when you put safety tech innovation first, or so Volvo boss Stefan Jacoby is finding as the brand’s cars get increasingly confusing to use.

Update: Chrysler called us to clarify that it wasn’t Marchionne, but instead Roy Peters, the project’s lead electrical engineer.

Coasting along with traffic, eastbound on Interstate 69 through Michigan, we were road testing a 2012 Jeep Compass when several car lengths in the distance a ragtag convoy of cars swarmed around a single sports coupe.

Throwing a curve ball right down the media’s throat, Lotus issued a press release today that aimed to disarm and diffuse the flurry of speculation and jokes.

It did so by writing in completely unacademic, and some might argue, unprofessional style. Above the text, a borrowed copy of Sniff Petrol’s satirical photo (seen above) that portrays CEO Dany Bahar as “Baghdad Bob,” Iraq’s ex-information minister notorious for insisting things were fine.

Here’s a quick recap of what lead into today’s hilarious SNAFU.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne was featured yesterday on CBS’ 60 Minutes discussing his life as the head of both Fiat, Chrysler and how he brought the American brand back to health from the brink of collapse.

In the interview, Marchionne addresses the state Chrysler was in when he came on board to resurrect the company, saying employees were afraid and that the hierarchical corporate structure in place was crippling to operation.

The 13-minute clip also looks at the upcoming Dodge Dart, which first debuted in January at the Detroit Auto Show. We also get a peek into Marchionne’s life in Italy, where he isn’ allowed to go anywhere without being in a bullet-proof car with police escorts.

Watch the video below, it’s well worth the time.

The past 20 years were pretty stable in the automotive industry. Mostly predictable releases with a steady rate for manufacturers to introduce new models that seemed like a consistant recipe for success.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally isn’t on his way out, though succession plans are being considered according to a top Ford executive.

Lotus Cars USA made the public announcement that former Ferrari CEO Maurizio Parlato is the new CEO of their U.S. operation.

Yesterday, the CEO of General Motors, Dan Akerson purchased $250,500 in shares of the automaker, buying 10,000 shares at $25.05.

The next CEO of Ford Motor Co. probably will be a company insider, Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. said Friday. The current Ford CEO is 65-year old Alan Mulally who is still performing and has no plans of retiring just yet.

He said; “Nobody could have failed to be moved by the recent events in Japan and we at Aston Martin are no exception. After many years presence in the market and closer ties being forged with the Japanese automotive business in recent projects, we have many friends in the region and we wanted to do something to help. The Bonhams Aston Martin Auction seems the perfect platform to encourage the extended Aston Martin family to support this cause, so we have decided to auction my Rapide which I have used in my role as Chief Executive to represent Aston Martin at numerous events in both UK and Europe. I hope this superb car will raise a substantial amount to help make a difference.”

Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson will retire from Saab on May 19th, with the 59 year old executive leaving Saab during a tumultuous time. Saab Chairman Victor Muller will act as interim CEO as a search for a replacement gets underway.