Automotive News names its 100 leading women in auto industry

Automotive News released a special issue Monday celebrating its 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry and praising their accomplishments.

The leading women come from 14 automotive disciplines and are based in 54 different companies. They range from designers to manufacturers to dealer principals to engineers.    

These influential leaders were formally honored at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Michigan.  

These women make formidable decisions in their field and have a significant impact on their companies, Automotive News said. They were chosen after several months of judging hundreds of nominations from throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

"A comparison of the 2015 and 2010 Automotive News lists of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry confirms that the status of women in the industry has improved,” Automotive News Managing Editor Mary Beth Vander Schaaf, editor of the special issue, said. “There are six CEOs among automakers and suppliers on the list this time, up from two in 2010, the last time the list was compiled. Among the 2015 honorees, 73 have executive officer titles or are owners of their companies. That's up from 63.”