Autos Drive America Members Convene in Washington, Announces New Board Leadership

Job creation, workforce development, electric vehicles, free trade are among the association’s top priorities.

Washington, D.C. – Autos Drive America hosted its annual Board meeting this week in the nation’s capital, where the association’s leadership met with key Administration and Congressional leaders to discuss the policy and regulatory framework needed to drive the U.S. auto industry and economy forward. Autos Drive America also announced its 2022 Board officers, led by incoming Board Chair Rick Schostek, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

“Autos Drive America’s members are well-positioned to help boost our economy and create even more high-skilled, good-paying jobs this year and well into the future,” said Jennifer Safavian, president and CEO of Autos Drive America. “With ongoing challenges of supply chain delays and labor shortages, and working to mitigate the industry’s environmental impact, our members continue leading the American auto industry forward – and have been for decades. The voice of international automakers operating in the U.S. is stronger and more important than ever.”

Autos Drive America also announced its 2022 Board of Directors during the meeting in Washington, D.C. The incoming board will guide the association’s policy agenda and advocacy, workforce development opportunities, and operational excellence throughout the year. 

Autos Drive America 2022 Board Officers

• Chair – Rick Schostek, Executive Vice President, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Vice Chair – David Stenström, Vice President, Manufacturing, Americas and Plant Manager, Volvo Car Charleston Plant, Volvo Car USA, LLC 
• Secretary – Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America
• Treasurer – Tom Doll, President and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc.

“Twenty-two billion dollars in U.S. investment and 40 years of U.S. auto production make Honda’s commitment to America and its workforce unquestionable,” said Rick Schostek, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and chair of the Autos Drive America Board of Directors. “At Autos Drive America, we advocate for policies that enable further investments across the industry, and help attract and develop the next generation workforce. I look forward to serving as chair to help advance this important mission.”

On Wednesday, members of Congress and Administration officials heard directly from Autos Drive America and its board members about the association and the industry’s 2022 legislative priorities. In addition to advocating for critical funding for the CHIPS for America Act to increase semiconductor manufacturing, Autos Drive America also discussed the urgent need for nondiscriminatory policies that strengthen the entire U.S. auto industry, including fair policies that will enable the transition toward electrification. Doing so would help make the U.S. auto industry more resilient and sustainable.   

Additionally, Autos Drive America discussed the industry’s vital footprint in communities nationwide, including the 2.1 million American jobs international automakers support and 215 workforce development and training programs they provide. To ensure this crucial industry and the 500 facilities international automakers operate have longevity in the U.S., Autos Drive America called on lawmakers to support policies that promote more open markets, a level playing field for all automakers, and equal treatment of all American auto workers.

###