Auto retail giant AutoNation Inc. said Tuesday that it has named Stellantis executive Mike Manley as its next CEO to replace the outgoing Mike Jackson.
The moves are effective Nov. 1, when Jackson, 72, will retire, the nation’s largest new-vehicle retailer said.
Manley, 57, had been CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles before its merger earlier this year with PSA Group. He was then named head of Americas for Stellantis.
AutoNation previously had said Jackson, AutoNation’s longtime leader, would retire as CEO by April 2022.
Manley, who will be the fourth person to hold the AutoNation’s CEO title since 2019, brings a wealth of automaker experience to AutoNation. He currently serves as head of Americas for Stellantis, which was created with the January merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. Before that, he served as CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles from July 2018 to January 2021.
“I am excited to join AutoNation and the executive team,” Manley said in a statement. “AutoNation has set the benchmark for automotive retail excellence. It has accomplished a number of industry first milestones, including being the only automotive retailer to sell over 13 million vehicles. Most recently, the company has shown its focus and determination by producing five consecutive record-breaking quarters, during an unprecedented time.”
Jackson said he has been honored to serve AutoNation as CEO for 22 years and has confidence in Manley to lead AutoNation.
“We have built an admired and respected company from coast to coast,” Jackson said in a statement. “I am forever grateful to all associates for our achievements and thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their efforts, especially through the pandemic.”
This story will be updated.
