Car makers may be trying to claw back buying power through the agency model, but car dealers won’t let it go easily – they still wield much influence
The retailer landscape has changed dramatically over the past year, with power tilting back in to the hands of car firms themselves in the form of the new ‘agency’ model.
Yet, car dealers have been consolidating for years now to create these huge groups whose influence over the manufacturers cannot be overstated.
It is those who wield this power whom we celebrate within the Power List 100, sponsored by Keyloop.
The CEOs of these dealers stretch across the world three oversee North American groups, despite having a huge inflence across Europe and the UK.
Power List 100 2023 – Retailer royalty
Gerhard Schürmann CEO, Emil Frey
Zurich-based dealer group Emil Frey AG is in rude health as it looks ahead to its 100th anniversary next year, consistently ranking as Europe’s biggest player and expanding its footprint with a new digital insurance offering and partnerships with emerging car brands. CEO Gerhard Schürmann remains committed to service over size, however, and maintains a steadfast customer-first approach to retail.
Roger Penske, Automotive chairman and chief executive, Penske Automotive
That Roger Penske was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 is testament to the wide-reaching impact he has had on the automotive industry, not just in the US, but worldwide. Penske Corporation operates in around 3200 locations and employs more than 70,000 globally, and on a local level, his company owns the UK-based Sytner dealer group, which has been a successful frontrunner in the mass shift to an agency sales model.
Mike Manley, CEO, AutoNation
Kent-born Manley is best known as the longtime CEO of Jeep and then boss of Stellantis North America, but since late 2021 has been at the helm of AutoNation, which has sold more than 14 million cars since it was founded in 1996, and continues to focus rigidly on transparency and consumer-centric retail practices. Manley said the firm’s strong Q2 2023 results show “the continued resiliency of our operations and the benefits of our diversified business model”, following the recent acquisition of mobile car maintenance service RepairSmith.
Bryan DeBoer, CEO, Lithia
America’s third-biggest new vehicle dealer group employs 21,150 people, operates 281 sites across the US and Canada, and is in the midst of a bold initiative to increase revenues by $20 billion per year from 2020-2025. CEO Bryan Deboer is grandson of founder Walt, and his simultaneous commitment to expanding the firm’s physical retail footprint and bolstering its digital presence is credited with driving the company’s rapid growth,.
How are the 100 names in Autocar’s Power List chosen?
The Power List ranks is made up of the world’s 100 most influential automotive heads, based on the following criteria: global reach and influence, spending power, share of voice, technological influence, future growth potential and market capitalisation.
The top 10 are ranked and the remaining 90 names on the list are grouped into categories, including executives from more traditional car makers to the rising powerhouses from China and the latest technology and mobility companies.
These names were chosen by the editors of Autocar Business, the B2B product from the publisher of Autocar, designed to bring industry readers even closer to the inner workings and key players of the global automotive industry.
The full list will be available to download on 18 October.
