THE 2022 MOTORTREND POWER LIST
Two crises plagued the automotive sector in 2021: a second year of grappling with a global pandemic, as well as a semiconductor chip shortage that halted production, delayed launches, and hampered inventories. But productive people dig in during tough times. They become more resilient, and they find new and creative ways to get things done.
Virtually every company in the past year announced plans to invest even more aggressively in electric vehicles, while work on autonomous technology continued apace. And we’re not talking about crazy pods no one wants. It was the year of meeting an electric GMC Hummer pickup that can crabwalk, seeing an electric Ford F-150 materialize, and pondering Jeep Wranglers off-roading silently while EV newcomers such as Rivian and Lucid made the world take notice of their debut vehicles. No, auto shows as we knew them have not quite returned, though there were a few scaled-down efforts. We watched most of the year’s big reveals on tiny screens as people continued to work from home.
The year wound down with not enough inventory to meet growing demand for new wheels, but this industry has always been forged by challenges. So we honor 50 people named to our 2022 Power List who played key roles during another trying and transitional period—and sitting at No. 1 is the 16th MotorTrend Person of the Year.
50 Kristen Tabar
Group Vice President, Vehicle Development and Engineering, Toyota Motor North American Research & Development
2021 Rank: Unranked
Tabar directs Toyota’s North American vehicle development strategy, which meant overseeing engineers working from home during the pandemic. She kept them updated and energized during trying times to ensure new product launches were not delayed while also working with plants and suppliers. Tabar actively works to promote diversity and encourage more women to pursue science, tech, engineering, and math.
49 Lawrence Stroll
Executive Chairman, Aston Martin
2021 Rank: 44
Stroll is not just the money behind the turnaround of Aston Martin and its racing program; the Canadian billionaire is deeply involved in the luxury marque’s direction and decision-making. He’s had an impact in Formula 1 this year by rebranding the Racing Point team (of which he took control in 2018) into Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One and signing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. He’s backing the construction of a new team factory and wind tunnel to evolve the operation into a front-running organization, all while supporting son and Aston Martin F1 driver Lance in his racing career.
48 Deborah Wahl
Global Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors
2021 Rank: Unranked
Wahl’s job is to sell the public on electric vehicles coming from GM, and she’s doing a hell of a job. Consider: Since the reborn Hummer news broke in a 2020 Super Bowl ad, is there anyone who doesn’t know GM has launched a new electric GMC Hummer pickup? Meanwhile, award-winning actress Regina King is proving to be a strong ambassador for Cadillac. All this buzz is important: GM is at an inflection point as it transitions to EVs, and Wahl must continue to raise awareness of new
