Brussels, 6 September 2019 – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric-Mark Huitema as its new Director General, with effect on 1 October.
Mr Huitema will succeed Erik Jonnaert, who is stepping down as Secretary General after six years at the helm of the association, which represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus manufacturers.
Mr Huitema (55), a Dutch national, joins ACEA from IBM where he acted as Global Smarter Transportation Leader. Previously he worked in the IT sector, including for internet start-up Chello Benelux, which he co-founded, EDS International and Philips Electronics.
ACEA President and Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Group, Carlos Tavares: “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.”
Eric-Mark Huitema, who studied technical chemistry at Delft University and business and sales administration at INSEAD, 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.”
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Notes for editors
About ACEA
- ACEA represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus manufacturers: BMW Group, CNH Industrial, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group.
- More information can be found on www.acea.be or www.twitter.com/ACEA_eu.
- Contact: Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.be, +32 2 738 73 45 or +32 485 88 66 47.
About the EU automobile industry
- 13.8 million Europeans work in the auto industry (directly and indirectly), accounting for 6.1% of all EU jobs.
- 11.4% of EU manufacturing jobs – some 3.5 million – are in the automotive sector.
- Motor vehicles account for €428 billion in taxes in the EU15 countries alone.
- The automobile industry generates a trade surplus of €84.4 billion for the EU.
- The turnover generated by the auto industry represents over 7% of EU GDP.
- Investing €57.4 billion in R&D annually, the automotive sector is Europe’s largest private contributor to innovation, accounting for 28% of total EU spending.