…from the first part!

May I ask a more generic question? What professional differences are there, for a person in your position, between working in Turin and working in Detroit?
Both Turin and Detroit have a strong, proud automotive heritage. While both have gone through tough times, both continue to maintain a vivid passion for cars. From a professional standpoint, I feel at home in both places. Read more »

Date of the interview: March, 26 2013

Professional Profile: Pietro Gorlier was born in Turin (Italy), he joined the Fiat Group in 1989 as a market analyst in Iveco helding various positions in logistics, in the After Sales and Customer Care, before joining Fiat Group Automobiles in 2006.
After the experience in FGA and in CNH Global N.V., he joined Chrysler Group. He is President and CEO of MOPAR® since 2009 and , from its establishment on Sep. 1, 2011, he is member of the Group Executive Council (GEC). The GEC is the highest executive decision-making body within the Company outside of its Board of Directors.

In the next years we will see a close fight on everything concerning care, attention and customization of the car; this competitive scenario will generate significant margins, much more than the ‘metal’ alone.
In this perspective, it is strategic the position that Mopar® is taking on within Fiat Group Automobiles and Chrysler Group’s activities. Read more »

… the first part!
Speaking of electric cars, what is your opinion of the EC 2011 White Paper and of the studies conducted in the US, by Exxon and by Toyota itself, according to which a significant market is only possible after 2020?
Don’t you think Renault’s anticipating the times is counterproductive? And if you don’t, why not? Read more »

Interview Date: January, 21 2013

Professional Profile: Jacques Bousquet is a graduate of the EDHEC Business School in Lille and majored in Business Management at the University of Michigan of Detroit, the Duke University in North Carolina and the INSEAD in Fontainebleau. From 1982 to 1998 he held positions of increasing responsibility in Ford; from 1999 to 2002 in Fiat Auto, and later DaimlerChrysler France as Managing Director and then he covered the role of CEO of Chrysler Europe from 2006 to 2008. Since January 2009 he was President and CEO of Renault Italy.
Since June 2011 Jacques Bousquet is also President of UNRAE. Read more »

…the first part!

GLOBALISATION!  This term should allow you to achieve a product that is in line with the tastes of the “entire world”, with the underlying principle of listening to your customers. Are Lancia and Chrysler getting to grips with this term? Do they listen to the large mass of customers who are trying to convey their expectations? If not, what’s missing and what will you do to address this issue? Read more »

Interview Date: January 4, 2013

Professional Profile: Paolo Gagliardo, after an MBA at Columbia Business School in New York, has built great part of its career in the Automotive industry. He has worked in Ford Motor Company and FIAT in various Marketing, Sales and Product assignments in the UK, US and Italy. He has also worked in the Italian Railroad Company, as Chief Marketing Officer and Piaggio S.p.A. as Executive Vice President Product.
In 2010 he has rejoined Fiat Group Automobiles as COO for International Operations and now he is Head of Brand Lancia/Chrysler for EMEA.

The products in the Lancia range – the Thema and Flavia in particular – seem to be carbon copies of non-European models; to this, add the decision to abandon the Lancia brand. Today, can a Lancia salesperson be successful in proposing this type of product, taking on the European competition? Read more »

Interview Date: November 23, 2012

Professional Profile: Adriana Maria Quaglia begans her career at the end of the 1980′s in sales and marketing. From 1989 to 1997 she worked for several communications agencies, developing and managing advertising campaigns, trade marketing, events and external relations for premium Italian and international brands.In the  following decade her career developed in telecommunications management. She has been involved in directing and implementing important organisational and business change management projects.
She has been with Fiat Group Automobiles since 2008 where, within Customer Care, she has always worked to develop channels and services aimed at managing and developing relations with the Group’s customers. She currently works as Fiat Group Automobiles and Chrysler Customer Innovation Manager for the EMEA area within Parts&Service – Customer Care. Read more »

 …the first part.

Considering the above, the increase of taxation on the car should not be viewed as positive with respect to alternatives taxation on citizens?
The automotive industry is an asset for the economy. In terms of turnover, tax contribution, job-creation.
We believe that something in terms of taxation can be done to move the sector, although we are in a complex scenario like the present. Read more »

Interview Date: July 31, 2012

Professional Profile: Sergio Solero

Notes: Interview by Pietro Montagna

Among its many commitments, in Italy and abroad, we were able to reach Dr. Sergio Solero, Sales Director of BMW and Mini cars in Italy.
The replies received worth the long wait, thanks to the right perception of the spirit of our blog by Dr. Solero. Starting from this premise we wish you a good reading and, above all, good reflections.

Will the distribution change? And if so, how? Read more »

Date of interview: April 24, 2012

Professional Profile: Roland Schell

Notes: Interview by Pietro Montagna

I had the opportunity to interview Roland Schell and I did not let slip the opportunity, trying to bring the discussion on the future of our industry, because speaking about the present would have been disheartening.

The Italian market continues to fall, while the world continues to grow. In 2011, the Italian market for light passengers (cars + light commercial) weighed 2.5% of the world (it was 3.7% in 2008). What is happening and what is the answer of your company? Read more »