As if bankruptcies and recalls weren't enough of an obstacle the past two years, the auto industry faced one of the world's worst natural disasters in 2011. The 9.0 magnitude Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11 delivered another blow to an already fragile recovery. Despite the difficulties, some individuals have thrived.
SERGIO MARCHIONNE, CEO, Chrysler Group & Fiat S.p.A.
Sergio Marchionne likes to call himself a humble "man of industry."
There is no question that Winterkorn wants to be the biggest and the best.
Under Browning's leadership the past 14 months, Volkswagen Group of America is on a mission to improve VW's quality, image and profitability in North America.
Manley, 47, who started in the auto industry working at British dealerships, has guided Jeep to an astonishing comeback this year.
CEO Sergio Marchionne's strategy to revive Chrysler is built on sharp differentiation among Chrysler's brands.
LEWIS BOOTH, CFO, Ford Motor Co.
Under Perry, 58, AutoTrader.com has used a series of acquisitions over the past year to extend its influence among Internet auto shoppers dramatically.
FLETCHER DAVIDSON, Group vice president, Toyota Customer Services, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
PETER SCHREYER, Chief design officer, Kia Motors Corp.
Schreyer, 58, has swiftly transformed Kia from a brand devoid of style into one that's becoming synonymous with high design for the masses.
MIKE JACKSON AND MICHAEL MAROONE, AutoNation Inc.
JIM HALLETT, CEO, KAR Auction Services Inc.
Hallett has shown that building an auction company is as much about clicks as it is about bricks and mortar.
Bosch is thriving by supplying fuel-saving equipment to North American automakers, such as fuel-delivery parts for Ford Motor Co.'s EcoBoost engines.
DERRICK KUZAK, Group vice president of global product development, Ford Motor Co.
Kuzak, 60, seems to swing and hit it out of the park effortlessly with his product revamps at Ford division.
JOE BAKAJ, Vice president of powertrain engineering, Ford Motor Co.
Bakaj, 49, led the team that launched two new direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engines globally this year.
Posawatz serves as the quasi-ambassador for the Volt, the revolutionary plug-in hybrid launched in December 2010.
BURT JORDAN, Executive director of global vehicle and powertrain purchasing, Ford Motor Co.
Jordan, 44, continues to deliver more of Ford's supplier purchases to minority suppliers.
Hosford, 64, has used a media strategy that blends promoting strengths while taking calculated risks that are deftly crafted.
SHINICHI SASAKI, Executive vice president for global procurement, Toyota Motor Corp.
Sasaki, 64, faced a purchasing chief's nightmare when the March 11 earthquake and tsunami battered Japan.
YASUSHI AKAO, President, Renesas Electronics Corp.
Akao, 57, put his company's name in the headlines like never before.