Jaguar Land Rover has chosen Frenchman Thierry Bollare as the company’s new chief executive to follow in the footsteps of Dr Ralf Speth.
Bollore was only last year ousted as boss of French car manufacturer Renault after just eight months in the job, however JLR are hoping that the Brittany-born Frenchman can use his expertise in electric powered cars to turn around what so far has been a dreadful 2020 for the company.
The 57-year-old replaces CEO Speth who spent more than a decade in the JLR hotseat before moving to the position of non-executive chairman later this year. Bollare is the brother of French billionaire Vincent Bollare, an investment banker who has huge interests in the electric car and charging networks.
In a statement issued by JLR, Bolore said: “It will be my privilege to lead this fantastic company through what continues to be the most testing time of our generation.
‘Renowned for their passion and spirit, the people of Jaguar Land Rover are the driving force behind its success. I couldn't be more excited to join the team continuing to shape the future of this iconic company.”
It is thought that Bollare’s close friendship with disgraced former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn which led to his swift departure from Renault, but JLR will be hoping that the Frenchman’s EV knowhow and connections in China can help rescue the ailing motoring giant.
“I am delighted to welcome Thierry to Jaguar Land Rover. An established global business leader with a proven track record of implementing complex transformations, Thierry will bring a wealth of experience to one of the most revered positions in the industry,” Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Motors and JLR.