Autocar
Movers and shakers: Fermín Soneira succeeds Rouven Mohr, who becomes Audi’s chief technical officer Welcome to Movers and Shakers, an Autocar Business feature covering the latest job moves from across the automotive industry. This page is updated regularly with all the biggest transfers, promotions and departures in the sector, covering everything you need to know. Name: Fermín Soneira Company: Lamborghini Role: Head of research and development Lamborghini has appointed Fermín Soneira as its new head of research and development, effective from 1 July. As the CEO of AUDI, a joint venture between Audi and SAIC, Soneira oversaw the creation of the new Chinese-market brand last year . Previously he was engineering boss for Seat and head of global product marketing for Audi. He succeeds Rouven Mohr, who also moves within the Volkswagen Group to become Audi’s chief technical officer. Soneira is tasked with overseeing Lamborghini’s technical strategy and future innovation. He will also be responsible for the Italian brand's motorsport operations. Welcoming Soneira, Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann said: “With his extensive international experience, technical competence and strategic vision, he will further strengthen the brand’s success and drive our future innovation.” Soneira added: “It is a great honor to join an iconic brand such as Lamborghini, which has contributed to writing the history of the automotive industry, performance and design. "I look forward to working with the team to further elevate the brand’s technological excellence and driving experience.” Name: Balaje Rajan Company: JLR Role: Group chief strategy officer JLR has appointed Balaje Rajan as its new group chief strategy officer under recently appointed CEO PB Balaji. Rajan was previously the chief strategy officer and head of international business for JLR's siblings Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility. The move, first reported by Autocar Professional , tightens the ties between JLR and its Indian parent company Tata. The companies' forthcoming electric cars – particularly new Land Rovers and models from Tata's new premium brand, Avinya – will share key technologies, and Rajan's appointment is expected to foster this collaboration. Name: Erhan Eren Company: Kia Role: European PBV director Kia has appointed Erhan Eren to lead its vans and commercial vehicle strategy in Europe. Eren takes the role of PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) director, replacing Pierre-Martin Bos, who leaves Kia to take up the position of CEO of Zero Motorcycles. Eren joins Kia from Wrightbus, where he served as managing director for Europe. He arrives with 18 years of experience across trucks, buses and vans. Other leadership roles included time at MAN and Iveco. Based in Frankfurt, his core task will be to continue Kia’s commercial vehicle expansion: following last year’s PV5 will be the PV7 in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029. The Korean brand aims to achieve 250,000 global PBV sales by 2030. Eren said: “My priority is to ensure customers benefit from a seamless, reliable ecosystem, from strong product fundamentals to service, uptime support, converter integration and parts availability. "This role brings together everything I value: practical innovation, purposeful transformation and creating real impact for customers.” Name: Lina Ribeiro Company: Dacia Role: UK brand director Dacia has named Renault Group UK’s head of sales operations Lina Ribeiro as its new UK brand director. She is tasked with overseeing the brand following one of its biggest years to date, topped by the arrival of the new Bigster SUV. Ribeiro succeeds Luke Broad who has been promoted to managing director of Retail Renault Group UK. She takes on the role following more than 20 years in the automotive industry. This includes multiple strategic roles in the UK and abroad, which has seen her lead teams and launch initiatives in sales, operations, network development, and customer experience. In her current role at Renault Group UK, she has led teams through strong periods of growth thanks to her straightforward, consistent and quietly inventive leadership style. Ribeiro said: “It’s a real privilege to step into this role and continue shaping the next chapter of Dacia’s success in the UK. “The brand keeps going from strength to strength, always standing for something bigger when it comes to mobility. I’m excited to carry that forward, challenging conventions and delivering meaningful value to our customers.” Katrin Adt, Dacia CEO, said of Ribeiro’s appointment: “I’m pleased to welcome Lina into her new role. As Dacia continues to grow, her leadership will strengthen our momentum in a market that values affordability and durability in vehicles built for the real-world.”
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