LIASE Group Attends the 2015 North American International Auto Show, Black Tie Gala and After-Party

Summary:
LIASE Group MD Americas and Board Member John Bukowicz, LIASE Group MD Asia and Board Member Vanessa Moriel, and LIASE Non-Executive Board Member and Former President of BMW North America Vic Doolan attended North America’s largest auto show in Detroit from January 12 to 16. With 55 new vehicle introductions, this year’s show reflected the industry’s general upbeat outlook for the North American market early in 2015.
 
Article: 
Taking place from January 12-25, the North American International Auto Show is North America’s most important auto show. This year’s event took place against the backdrop of a growing American economy and rapidly dropping oil prices. It is, therefore, no surprise that power and performance were on full display in Detroit. The LIASE Group was present with LIASE Group MD Americas and Board Member John Bukowicz, LIASE Group MD Asia and Board Member Vanessa Moriel, and LIASE Non-Executive Board Member and Former President of BMW North America Vic Doolan on hand to meet the thousands of automotive executive gathered for this annual celebration of the automobile.
 
Following up on the distinctively automotive Consumer Electronic Show, where the connected car and autonomous driving were on full display, the tone of the show in Detroit was set by supercars, such as the new Ford GT and the Acura NSX, big engine cars such as the 640-hp Cadillac CTS-V, the Lexus GS-F sport sedan, and Mercedes-Benz’ C450 AMG, and even convertibles like the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, the Buick Cascada, and a convertible version of the BMW-6. While the recession saw hybrids promising fuel economy and money conscious sedans take center stage in past shows, this year’s edition was definitely flashier, faster, and more fun.
 
“The Detroit Auto Show is a great place to gain an understanding of the general mood and trends sweeping across the North American auto industry,” said Human Capital Partner’s (HCP) Asia MD and LIASE Board Member Vanessa Moriel. “With companies feeling positive, we are seeing them introduce new technologies with new engines, designs, connectivity, telematics, and advances in autonomous driving. There is no doubt that we are at the brink of a major transformation in the automotive industry, so it is a very exciting time to be here.”
 
There were 55 vehicle introductions at the show, with the vast majority being global premiers. Many of the new reveals were luxury cars. While these higher-end cars come with a steep price tag, they also serve as a showcase for advanced technologies and the future of the industry. The new Acura NSX, for example, packs 550-hp in what is being hyped as a hybrid car. Proving once and for all that hybrid doesn’t have to rhyme with lower performances.
 
The Volkswagen Golf family of cars, including the Golf GTI and Golf variants, and the Ford F-150 were named the North American Car of the Year and the North American Truck/Utility of the Year, respectively. It is a bit of good fortune for Volkswagen whose sales in the U.S. dropped 7 percent in 2013, and another 8 percent last year. Aiming to recapture some of this lost ground, the company unveiled the Hybrid Cross Coupe GTE model, which targets the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. of late, small SUVs. The awards, which are given by a jury of 57 journalists are now in their 22nd year.
 
Another long-awaited unveiling was the new Chevrolet Bolt, a cheaper version of the existing plug-in hybrid Volt. Priced at around $30,000 dollars and with a promised 200-mile range, the new Bolt will be going head to head with Tesla’s upcoming Model 3. The Bolt is expected to hit the market before the Model 3.
 
There were 16.5 million units sold in the U.S. last year and analysts are saying that easy credit, low gas prices and pent-up demand are likely to ensure that 2015 will see continued growth. Some forecasters say auto sales could approach 17 million units this year. Comparatively, auto sales in China, the world’s largest auto market, totaled about 19.7 million units in 2014. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers projects an 8% rise for passenger vehicles sales to 21.25 million units in 2015.
 
“Technology is quickly redefining the automotive industry, but at its core, the sector has always been people driven,” remarked Vanessa Moriel. “Automakers have to rely on experienced executives that understand the technology, the culture and the trends that are molding the future of the industry. Because we are specifically focused on the automotive industry, the LIASE Group has the right industry knowledge, network, and processes in place to identify and attract the select few individuals who are at the leading edge of the industry.”
 
Vanessa Moriel and John Bukowicz also took part in the annual NAIAS Charity Preview black tie gala on January 16. The black tie gala is North America’s largest single night charity event. This year’s gala attracted 15,350 people and raised $5.3 million for children’s charities, exceeding last year’s take of $4.5 million. The event has raised more than $100 million since 1976 when the first Charity Preview was held by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association. Following the Charity Preview, the pair joined Lear Global CEO Matt Simoncini for the Lear After-Party attended by Lear global and regional leaders, their families, and friends.

Editors Notes:
Human Capital Partners is a retained executive search consultancy & talent management consultancy that specializes in the global automotive sector. We place high quality candidates in CEO and top management positions through succession planning, market scanning and pipeline management to ensure a smooth transition for both our clients and candidates. Our passion for the automotive industry and our unique approach ensures that we fully understand your business. This results in any potential risks being mitigated or carefully managed which ultimately means successful placements and satisfied clients.
 
PR Contact: Vanessa Moriel, Managing Director Asia (Tel: +852 2840 0406)
 
North American International Auto Show – Press Day

LIASE Group MD Americas and Board Member John Bukowicz and LIASE Non-Executive Board Member and Former President of BMW North America Vic Doolan with Senior Executives from BMW.

LIASE Group MD Americas and Board Member John Bukowicz (right) talks with Senior Executives from Volvo.

LIASE Non-Executive Board Member and Former President of BMW North America Vic Doolan (left), in discussion with Senior Executives from Volvo.

LIASE’s John Bukowicz (right), Vic Doolan (middle), and AUDI Director Strategy, Mr. Reinhard Fischer, together at the Detroit Auto Show.

The Ford F-150 has been named North American Truck of the Year in Detroit this year. F-150 is widely regarded as Ford’s most important vehicle. The automaker’s move to an aluminum body, which cuts about 700 pounds off the truck’s weight, is one of the biggest gambles in the auto industry in years. The lower weight allows the truck to adjust to stricter fuel efficiency targets. Lower fuel prices, however, are raising concerns that customers might not be as inclined toward the new aluminum bodied truck as they might otherwise have been. Ford has been downplaying these concerns by pointing out the F-150’s 12,000 pounds towing capacity and promising better performance.

The track-focused Shelby GT350R Mustang aims to please racing fans and take on the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. It is one of the first road cars to use carbon-fiber wheels, with Ford saying they have successfully undergone its durability testing. Like the flagships GT, the car is packed with an array of weight reduction measures to increase performance and reduce fuel use. The First Shelby GT350R Mustang was auctioned for charity at a price of $1 million.

Volvo CEO, Hakan Samuelsson, said he wants to reach 100,000 units in sales annually in the United States. Last year, it sold just 56,366. Volvo’s CEO seemed to hint that the company’s rejuvenation in the U.S. would at least in part come from growth in e-ordering of vehicles. He also confirmed that the brand’s new flagship sedan, the S90, would be built in China on a new platform and is being considered for export. Volvo also introduced a unique offering in the luxury segment, an all-wheel drive all-road sedan crossover.

LIASE Board Member and MD Asia Vanessa Moriel with SIREN OF CHROME Director John P. Lauri.

Left to right: LIASE Non-Executive Board Member Vic Doolan; Vanessa Moriel; John Bukowicz; and Automobilewoche & Automotive News Director Thomas Heringer, standing in front of the Infiniti booth. Infiniti unveiled the new Infiniti Q60 with a bold design that is bound to rejuvenate the luxury automaker’s lineup once it comes into production in 2016.

Floor of the North American International Auto Show. Over 100,000 industry insiders and media people were expected at the show.

Transmission maker ZF Group is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Their CEO Stefan Sommer was in Detroit where he revealed that the company’s pending acquisition of TRW Automotive for $13.5 billion was motivated by expected demand for autonomous driving technology in the coming years. ZF Group’s expertise in transmission and chassis will be complemented by TRW’s know-how on sensors and electronics. TRW Automotive is expected to maintain its separate identity for the moment.

Designed from the ground up for autonomous driving, the Mercedes-Benz F 015 concept car actually made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a week before coming to Detroit. With no need to have a driver behind the wheel, the car includes seats that face each other to allow for passenger interaction and a touch screen giving passengers control of the vehicle.

This year’s show was well attended as it attracted more than 100,000 visitors each day. Meanwhile, opening weekend drew a total of 215,836 visitors, 7,000 more than the opening weekend in 2014.

Charity Preview – Black Tie Event

LIASE Board Member and HCP’s Asia MD Vanessa Moriel and LIASE Group MD Americas and Board Member John Bukowicz pose in front of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class on the evening of the Black Tie Gala. Mercedes unveiled its new GLE model in Detroit. It is expected to compete with BMW’s X6 mid-sized SUV once production is ramped-up.

Mr. Nikhil M. Varty, Wabco President, Americas, and Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, and his wife enjoying the celebration with LIASE’s Vanessa Moriel.

Vanessa Moriel and John Bukowicz pose in front of an Alfa Romeo on the evening of the Black Tie Gala.

Vanessa Moriel and John Bukowicz standing at the MINI booth.

Vanessa Moriel (right) posing with a MINI Genious in front of his booth. BMW owned Mini unveiled the 2015 John Cooper Works Hardtop at the auto show. The new model is the most powerful Mini the company has produced to date.

John Bukowicz, Vanessa Moriel and Lear Global CEO Matt Simoncini.

LEAR CTO Agis Liberakis, Vanessa Moriel, Lear CFO Jeffrey H. Vanneste, and his wife pose for a picture at the Lear After-Party.

The joyful night in Detroit.