AutoNation will have a new chief executive officer on Nov. 1.
Mike Manley, who is head of Americas for Stellantis, will take over for Mike Jackson, who is retiring from his post as AutoNation CEO and board member.
Manley will also become an AutoNation board member.
“I am excited to join AutoNation and the executive team. AutoNation has set the benchmark for automotive retail excellence,” Manley said in a news release.
“It has accomplished a number of industry-first milestones, including being the only automotive retailer to sell over 13 million vehicles,” he said. “Most recently, the company has shown its focus and determination by producing five consecutive record-breaking quarters, during an unprecedented time.”
Prior to the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the PSA Group in January that resulted in Stellantis, Manley had been the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. since July 2018.
He joined what was then DaimlerChrysler in 2000 as director of network development for the U.K., before advancing into other leadership roles.
Jackson, meanwhile, became AutoNation’s chief executive in 1999.
“It has been a remarkable honor to serve as CEO for the past 22 years. We have built an admired and respected company from coast to coast. I am forever grateful to all associates for our achievements and thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their efforts, especially through the pandemic” Jackson said in the release.
He added: “I have every confidence Mike Manley will lead AutoNation to an even brighter future.”
Manley’s appointment to the role of AutoNation CEO is the latest in a years-long leadership transition process for the retailer.
In September 2018, it was announced that Jackson, who had led AutoNation since 2009, would transition out of his post as chairman, CEO and president in 2019 to become executive chairman.
The retailer announced in February 2019 that then-USAA chief operating officer Carl Liebert would replace Jackson as CEO and president the following month, with Jackson taking on the position of executive chairman of the board.
Then in July 2019, AutoNation announced that Liebert and the board of directors had mutually agreed he would step down to pursue other interests.
AutoNation named Cheryl Miller, who was then chief financial officer, as the executive to replace Liebert as CEO and president.
And with that appointment, Miller became the first female chief executive officer of a publicly traded automotive retailer, AutoNation said at the time.
In April 2020, AutoNation’s board granted Miller a leave of absence for health reasons. Jackson took on the leadership post, taking on the position of chairman and CEO.
In July 2020, the company said Miller had decided not to return and resigned from AutoNation and its board of directors. The retailer said Jackson would retire once a new CEO was named.
And in February of this year, AutoNation named a new chairman of its board: Rick Burdick, who was elected by the board and succeeded Jackson as chairman (Jackson remained CEO).
AutoNation had previously announced a board succession plan and its intention to separate the chairman and CEO roles.
Burdick became an AutoNation director in May 1991 and was named lead independent director in December 2018. Burdick became independent chairman of the board as of Feb. 15.
“Mike Manley brings considerable and comprehensive automotive experience to AutoNation, including strategy, business development, and a focus on operations,” Burdick said in a news release.
He added: “Mike’s exceptional performance over the years aligns with AutoNation’s commitment to excellence, a peerless customer experience, and innovative industry-leading drive.”
As for the departing CEO, Burdick said: “Mike Jackson is the epitome of a great leader. He exemplifies excellence, determination, and drive. Under his leadership, AutoNation solidified itself as America’s largest and most admired automotive retailer, selling over 13 million vehicles and raising over $28 million in the fight against cancer. Mike has been the voice for the automotive industry and its customers. We at AutoNation are privileged to have had his leadership for over 20 years.”
On the Stellantis side, Mark Stewart, who is chief operating officer for North America, and Antonio Filosa, who is COO for Latin America, will report directory to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, as the top executives leading the North American and Latin American regions for the OEM.
“It’s been my privilege to know Mike first as a competitor, then as a partner and colleague in the creation of Stellantis, but most importantly, always as a friend,” Tavares said in a release from the automaker. “From the very earliest days of our discussions, we shared a truly common vision, belief and commitment and it’s on these solid foundations, built over the past several years, that Stellantis has delivered its impressive early results.
“So, while I’m personally sorry to no longer have Mike as a colleague, I’m equally delighted for his new CEO role and glad that he will be joining the board of the Stellantis Foundation.”
Source : AutoFinanceNews
