A new director general will lead the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) from next month.
Taking the helm will be Eric-Mark Huitema (pictured), a Dutch industry specialist who previously acted as global smarter transportation leader at IBM. Prior to this, he was active within the IT sector, co-founding internet start-up Chello Benelux. He also has a degree in technical chemistry at Delft University, and business and sales administration at INSEAD.
Huitema will take charge following Erik Jonnaert’s departure after six years as secretary general.
Carlos Tavares, ACEA president and chairman of the managing board of PSA Group, explained: “As the future of the auto industry is connected and digital, Mr Huitema’s background will be highly relevant to take us through some of the major transformations ahead.
“On behalf of ACEA’s board of directors, I would like to thank Erik Jonnaert for his untiring commitment to the association and our industry over the last very intense years.”
The ACEA represents 15 major European car, van, truck, and bus manufacturers and works with a variety of research and civil society partners, as well as with a number of other industry associations, to ensure the economic environmental and social sustainability of the automobile industry.
The European automobile industry employs around 13.8 million people, accounting for 11.4% of EU manufacturing jobs. The industry also generates a trade surplus of €84.4 billion for the EU and the turnover generated represents over 7% of the region’s GDP.
Huitema, said: “This is a really exciting time to be leading the EU auto sector’s association. I look forward to playing my part in helping the industry rise to the new challenges, while at the same time ensuring that it maintains its leadership on the world stage.”
