Manley will head the European automakers lobby group ACEA at a time when the EU is pressuring the industry to reduce emissions from new cars.

Neumann brings an insider's view of the auto industry to Cartica AI, which has received funding from Toyota AI Ventures, BMW i Ventures and Continental.

Klaus Bischoff is promoted to oversee all VW Group design activities while Jozef Kaban, former head of styling at BMW, Rolls-Royce and Skoda, will lead VW brand design.

Koji Sato is best known as the chief engineer of the super sleek Lexus LC sports coupe and for his work developing the GA-L platform for rear-wheel drive Lexus vehicles, including the LS sedan.