Episode 30 | On the Move

From Detroit to the Global Stage: Elizabeth Krear on the Forces Reshaping Automotive

ELIZABETH KREAR
CENTER OR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH

Elizabeth Krear is President and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), bringing more than three decades of experience in engineering, product development, and strategic leadership across the global automotive industry. She is widely recognized for guiding organizations through periods of transformational change, particularly in the evolution toward electrified, connected, and autonomous vehicles.

Prior to joining CAR, Ms. Krear served as Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Practice at JD Power, where she led efforts to leverage data and insights that supported clients in optimizing business performance during the shift to electrified product portfolios. Before J.D. Power, she was a Global Planning Program Vice President at Stellantis for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and electrified body-on-frame SUVs and trucks, focusing on platform strategies that integrated electrification, autonomy, and connectivity. Earlier in her career, she served as Chief Engineer for the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator SUV vehicles, as well as the Ram 1500 Light Duty Truck portfolio.

In recognition of her leadership and industry impact, Automotive News named her one of the Top 100 Women in the North American Auto Industry in 2020.
Ms. Krear holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University and an MBA from the Michigan State University Executive MBA Program. As a proud alumna, she is passionate about mentoring future engineers and supporting the next generation of automotive leaders.