Thierry Bollore’s two-year stint as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover was memorable for failing to generate a single profitable quarter during a period when rival luxury automakers were posting record margins.
However, the Frenchman’s turnround at the troubled UK automaker was on the cusp of generating positive results, even as global events conspired against him.
Bollore’s most recent public appearance at last week’s quarterly results call will presumably be his last after JLR owners Tata Motors said he will step down effective Dec. 31 for “personal reasons” that were reportedly not health related.
The former Renault CEO did not appear comfortable in the spotlight and he was not an active participant in these investor calls, but last week he spoke passionately about the subject that dogged his tenure at JLR: the shortage of chips.
“We should not forget that the supply of chips is really a crisis in our sector,” he said, adding that it would take “years” before the situation returned to normal.