Driverless cars, electric vehicles, and car sharing services like Lyft and Uber are transforming the auto industry. Two women, an outsider and a consummate insider, are leading the way.
Robin Chase, the outsider, co-founded Zipcar in January 2000. The company helped turn the car rental industry upside down. Zipcar went public in April 2011 and was later bought by Avis. Robin has since gone on to found other companies, most recently Veniam, a technology company focused on turning one billion vehicles into free Wi-Fi Hotspots.
Mary Barra, the insider, became CEO of General Motors in January 2014. She is the first woman to lead a major auto company. She knows GM like the back of her hand having spent three decades at the company as an engineer, plant manager, worldwide head of product development, and worldwide head of HR.
Since becoming CEO, she unveiled the Chevrolet Bolt EV, a fully electric car that will go on sale in early 2017. She also announced a $500 million investment in Lyft as part of her plans to make GM a leader in driverless cars.
To the girls in the garage, your grit and determination inspire me.
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