Thousands of people leave their marks on the automotive industry, from the executives who get $50 million bonuses, to the entry-level workers ensuring quality at $15 an hour. Some, however, leave a much bigger mark and truly shape what is to come. These are the 50 people--from rapper/designers to car collectors to executives--who influence the automotive industry more than anybody else.

 

Only three members from the motorsports community made the list, with Chip Ganassi ranking in 17th.

 

50. ZZ Top - Hod Rod Show Promoters

49. George and Jack Keshishyan - Owners of Platinum Motorsport

 

48. Kimi Raikkonen - F1 and WRC Driver

 

47. Graziella Zanoletti - Owner of Elite Rent-a-Car
 

46. Curren$y - Rapper, Car Collector

 

45. Ray Claridge - Founder and Owner of Cinema Vehicle Services

44. Chris Harris - YouTube Series Presenter

43. Tony Stewart - NASCAR Driver

42. Jay-Z - Rapper

41. Sebastien Loeb - WRC Driver

 

40. Moray Callum - Ford Americas Executive Director of Design

39. Ralph Lauren - Car Collector 

38. Eddie Alterman - Car & Driver Editor and Chief

37. Sebastian Vettel - F1 Driver

36. John Krafcik - Hyundai USA President

35. Jay Leno - Host of Leno's Garage

34. Jerod Shelby -  Founder and CEO of SCC

33. Swizz Beatz - Lotus VP of Creative Design

32. Ray Lahood - United States Secretary of Transportation

 

31. Rupert Stadler - Audi Auto Group Chairman

30. Jason Castroita - Designer

29. “Maximum” Bob Lutz - Advisor to GM and Lotus

28. Norbert Reithofer - BMW Auto Group Chairman

27. Martin Smith - Ford Europe Executive Design Director

26. Dieter Zetsche - Daimler AG Chairman

25. Peter Schreyer - Kia Design Chief

24. Giorgetto Giugiaro - Italdesign Giugiaro Founder, "Car Designer of the Century"

23. Adrian van Hooydonk - BMW Group Design Director

22. Ken Block - Driver for Monster World Rally Team, Chief Brand Officer of DC Shoes

21. Barack Obama - President of the United States

20. Li Shu Fu - Geely Chairman/Founder

19. Ryan Friedlinghaus - West Coast Customs Owner

18. Jim Farley - Ford Motor Company Group VP of Marketing, Sales, and Service

17. Chip Ganassi - Owner of Chip Ganassi Racing

16. Olivier Francois - Fiat Brand CEO

15. Ian Callum - Jaguar Design Director

14. Dietrich Mateschitz - Red Bull Racing Principal

13. Barb Samardzich - Ford of Europe VP of Product Development

12. Bob King - United Auto Workers President

11. Walter de Silva - Volkswagen Auto Group Design Chief

10. Akio Toyoda - Toyota Motor Coporation President and CEO

9. Mark Reuss - GM North America President

8. Funkmaster Flex  - Host of Funk Flex Full Throttle, Designer of Aftermarket Accessories for Ford

7. Luca di Montezemolo - Ferrari Chairman

6. Bernie Ecclestone -President and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration

5. Ferdinand Piech - Volkswagen Auto Group Chairman

4. Chung Mong Koo - Hyundai Motor Company Chairman

3. Jeremy Clarkson - Top Gear Presenter, Journalist

2. Allan Mulally - Ford Motor Company CEO

 

1. Sergio Marchionne - Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO, Fiat SPA CEO

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