Shareef Hakim’s Post

This Friday I returned my Ford badge after more than 23 years of service in the Ford Cologne Merkenich Development center. Ford was my first employer and I grew over the years with the assignments I got. The opportunities came with the challenges and I got chances to work on exciting products, like a b-pillarless sliding door vehicle or product architectures like the C2 Platform with a wide range of products it delivered (just to mention two of them) in global x-functional teams. The concept team and unique tools and processes used had been always my passion. I became supervisor and formed an expert team and spread the seed of the vision and spirit of what Simon S. called the "Infinite Game" applied to the CAE side of concept development of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, body-on-frame vehicles with all sorts of propulsion technologies. After two decades I am now sneaking out of this business the last weeks and observed that my team is ready to carry on the work using a well-established framework to cope with chaotic concept phases and it works like a good-oiled engine as long as these experts are around. Proud to see how the team members develop and grow into their respective fields of expertise. I want to say thank-you to the freedom I had to shape the workflows in concept phase, the exciting projects I was allowed to contribute to. Last but not least the people I interacted with on working level and the managers who believed in me and trusted my sometimes unconventional approaches, challenging always the status quo. For me it is time to conclude this "Career chapter 1" - with proud about the accomplishments and I look forward to the "Career chapter 2", which is about to start - but this will be subject of another post. I wish my valued Ford colleagues resilience and power to disrupt themselves and master the challenges the automotive industry is currently going through. We may continue to interact in future in the one or other way. Jørgen Hilmann

Inspiring Leadership Spotlight: Mary Barra Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors!. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 was not easy. Starting her career as an intern at 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, she climbed through some difficult times: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐬: Despite being a highly qualified and experienced professional, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚 faced gender bias early in her career. Overcame by proving her capabilities through consistent performance and leadership, breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated automotive industry. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Faced the challenge of leading 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 through a major corporate restructuring following the 2008 financial crisis. Overcame by making tough decisions, streamlining operations, and focusing on innovation to revitalize the company's performance and reputation. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬: Confronted with significant product recalls and safety issues during her tenure as CEO. Overcame by taking swift and decisive action to address the issues, prioritising customer safety, and implementing rigorous quality control measures to prevent future incidents. 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Navigated the automotive industry through rapid technological advancements, including the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles. Overcame by investing in R and D and positioning General Motors as a leader in electric and autonomous vehicle technology. So the next time you think of giving up, learn from her that you are a step away from being wiser. #Inspiration #MaryBarra #GeneralMotors #SuccessStory 

What makes a career at a BMW dealership so appealing for technicians? For so many, it’s about passion. Technicians at BMW often have a love for these luxurious, sporty cars and getting to maintain and fix them up every day is their favorite part. The same goes for Mel Mayuga, VP of Aftersales at McKenna BMW and a FastTrack graduate. To him, there aren’t many better brands out there you’d want to pursue a career with. Check out his perspective on BMW how to get training to become a tech in this video. #CareerGoals #BMWLife

Heyy Mercedes - Play " Benz I know remix "😎 Free at Last !! Keep my L7O , darling 😊 Signing off from Mahindra Automotive with a bag full of learnings and exposures. On to my next mission is all about exploring your wide open future. Bidding farewell, handing over company ID card … Stepping into a Mercedes , ready to head 🏠… And there it is a striking blue car 🚙….waiting to whisk me away :) Driving away in the busy streets back home , I say to myself " Its not the short span spent in company that matters to me — its the impact & making a difference together " This journey of me driving away with a Mercedes on last day amplifies that behind corporate logo and vehicles, there are individuals who appreciate good leadership, innovation and success— even when its found in a competitor .This guester re defined essence of competition, shaping it into a respectful rivalry that motivates the pursuit of excellence, rather than a bitter contest. It serves as a reminder that while competition drives innovation…collaboration can broaden perspectives and foster mutual growth in the evolving landscape of automotive industry. #lastday #cherishablememories #ontowhatsnext #makeadifferenceleaveatrial #impact #automotiveleadership

A New Chapter: Gratitude, Reflection, and Excitement for What Lies Ahead Five years ago, on my first day at Volkswagen, I set this photo as my desktop background. It shows my father with his first car – of course, a VW Beetle. This image reminded me every day of my roots and motivated me in my work. Volkswagen isn’t just any brand; it’s a “Love Brand”, deeply connected to memories and emotions. At the end of this year, I’ve now closed my company laptop for good and am embarking on an extended break. This step has been planned for a long time. My father passed away far too early, and his photo also serves as a reminder that life is more than just work and that our time should also be spent on other meaningful things. I look back with gratitude on 32 professional years (maybe I’ll even share a retrospective… if anyone’s interested 😊). Countless projects and exciting tasks - but what truly matters in hindsight are the incredible people I had the privilege to work with from all over the world. Thank you for that! The last project, where I was involved from day one in shaping the collaboration between Rivian and Volkswagen, was undoubtedly a highlight of my career. Now I’m looking forward to time for new projects (like “100 Days – 100 Museums”) and opportunities to keep learning. But I won’t fully leave behind the world of automotive, SDV, PMT, and safety. I’ll continue my involvement in conferences like safetronic and share my experience as a consultant. So, the journey continues – just with a new focus. 🚀

#thismondayinhistory #Oct7 | On October 7, 1913, Ford Motors revolutionised the automotive industry by introducing the moving assembly line, a groundbreaking innovation that transformed manufacturing. This system drastically reduced the assembly time for the Model T, cutting it from over 12 hours to just about 90 minutes. By streamlining production processes, Ford made cars more accessible and affordable for the average American, while also improving labor conditions with higher wages and shorter workdays. This pivotal moment not only changed the way vehicles were produced but also set a new standard for efficiency in manufacturing across various industries. Ford Motor Company revolutionised the car industry in the early 20th century by introducing the assembly line, which drastically reduced production costs and made cars affordable for the average consumer. It also significantly reduced the manufacturing lead time. This innovation not only transformed manufacturing processes but also reshaped American society by promoting car ownership and urbanisation. Today, Ford continues to adapt to a rapidly changing automotive landscape, focusing on electric vehicles and sustainable practices. With a commitment to innovation and technology, Ford is positioning itself as a leader in the transition to a greener future, reflecting the industry's shift towards electrification and advanced mobility solutions. #HenryFord #ModelT #industralisation #FordMotors #assemblyline #labourandwages #massproduction #JIT #leadtime #history #historyschoolblog #historyhighschool #highschoolblog

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As a Car-Enthusiast from my childhood I always heard this story from my father which is : In the mid-1990s, under Ratan Tata’s leadership, Tata Motors launched its first passenger car, the Tata Indica. Unfortunately, the car initially struggled to gain market traction, leading to significant financial losses for the company. In 1999, in an effort to save the struggling passenger car business, Ratan Tata and his team traveled to the U.S. to meet with Ford Motor Company to discuss the possibility of selling Tata’s car division. During the meeting at Ford's headquarters in Detroit, the executives reportedly belittled Tata, with one of the Ford executives allegedly saying, "You do not know anything about making cars. Why did you start the passenger car division at all? We will do you a favor by buying your car business." Feeling humiliated by the experience, Ratan Tata and his team returned to India, deciding not to sell the business. Instead, they doubled down on their efforts to improve Tata Motors and turned the company around. The Tata Indica eventually found success in the market, and the company's fortunes improved dramatically. Fast forward to 2008, and the tables had turned. Ford was facing severe financial difficulties, particularly with its luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR), which it had owned since 1989 and 2000, respectively. In a twist of fate, Tata Motors stepped in to buy JLR from Ford for $2.3 billion. The acquisition not only saved Ford from a major financial burden but also helped Tata Motors grow into a global automotive player. Today, Jaguar and Land Rover are successful luxury brands under Tata’s ownership, and the deal is often cited as a testament to Ratan Tata's vision and leadership. It's with profound sadness that we reflect on the passing of Ratan Tata, a visionary leader whose legacy will forever be etched in the annals of global industry. Ratan Tata's journey exemplified perseverance, wisdom, and humility. Like this, there are several inspiring stories which this man has taught us. Your legacy will always be remembered Mr.'' Millennial Dumbledore'' of all industries which he has worked. On behalf of Easy 2 Recruit and myself we extend our heartfelt condolence, May your departed soul 'Rest in Peace' 💐. Ambi Singh Manjit Singh Abigail Jamoner Ludwig Ziliukas

🎉"A Decade of Growth, Learning, and Transformation" 🚗💡 Today, I’m excited to celebrate 10 incredible years with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India. This decade has been nothing short of transformative—full of valuable lessons, challenges, and achievements that have shaped my career and personal growth. Over the past 10 years, I’ve witnessed a remarkable evolution in the industry—shifting from traditional combustion engines to electrification, embracing connected and autonomous technologies, and making sustainability a central pillar of innovation. It’s been an honor to contribute to shaping the future of mobility with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India. Key takeaways from this journey: 💡 Adaptability: Staying agile in an ever-evolving industry is essential. 🛠️ Innovation: Embracing new ideas and technologies drives real progress. 🌱 Sustainability: A greener, more sustainable future is not just a goal, but a responsibility. 🤝 Collaboration: The best ideas and accomplishments stem from great teamwork. A heartfelt thank you to my colleagues, mentors, leaders, and the incredible friends I’ve made along the way. Your support and inspiration have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to grow and learn together. Here’s to the next chapter of transformation and making an even greater impact! 🚀 #10YearsAndCounting #gratitude #MBRDI #MercedesBenz #BestorNothing #Gratitude #Adaptability #Innovation #Digitization #Sustainability #Collaboration #FutureForward

🚗 Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis to Retire After 35 Years at Ford. Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro, is set to retire at the end of September, capping off a 35-year career at Ford. Since 2021, Cannis has led the commercial vehicle division to significant profitability and helped develop the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover. He also headed the Ford Customer Service Division during his tenure. Reflecting on his time, Cannis said: "It's been the most thrilling and rewarding chapter of my career to lead Ford Pro and FCSD. Ford Pro is a profitably growing business with unmatched scale, talent, and the best dealers and upfitters — all to serve the people and businesses who keep our economy and communities humming. I can't wait to watch Ford Pro and FCSD continue to innovate and grow." Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue, will serve as interim leader while Ford searches for a permanent replacement. What do you think the future holds for Ford Pro under new leadership? #FordPro #LeadershipChange #TedCannis #CommercialVehicles #AutomotiveNews #MustangMachE #FordInnovation #FutureOfMobility #EVTech