It has been another fascinating year for the auto industry, with product highlights ranging from the much-anticipated mid-engine Corvette to a string of Tesla-challenging EVs to a swath of three-row SUVs and heavy-duty trucks.

As usual, there was drama in the executive ranks of the automakers that make these vehicles happen.

The most tumultuous was at the Nissan Renault Alliance, where the list of "former" CEOs kept growing. The jailed Carlos Ghosn was out, but as the year progressed, many of the people who filled his leadership void were also out.

At the Volkswagen Group, there were more arrests and investigations in the wake of the never-ending Dieselgate scandal as investigators also turned their sights toward Daimler, BMW, FCA, and Ford.

But amid the drama, the auto industry's powerful players continued to design, innovate, engineer, market, sell, and even race a slew of spectacular vehicles with increasingly complex technology.

This list is a hats-off to the people behind the accomplishments. They are the ones to watch. And No.1 on the Power List is the 15th MotorTrend Person of the Year.

50. Maurizio Reggiani

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Chief Technical Officer, Automobili Lamborghini

2019 Rank: 19

His latest is the $2 million, 808-hp Sián hybrid supercar with a V-12 and a supercapacitor (instead of a traditional battery pack), allowing it to store more power, discharge it faster, and require less cooldown time so it's ready to squirt out of the next corner.

49. Kyle Vogt

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Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Cruise

2019 Rank: 40

The robotics pioneer has seen his startup raise another $7.25 billion and expand to more than 1,000 employees developing and testing autonomous vehicles for GM with investment from Honda and SoftBank Vision. Cruise is valued at $19 billion and is rivaling Waymo in the race to get robocars on city streets in big volumes.

48. Bryan Salesky

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Co-Founder and CEO, Argo AI

2019 Rank: Unranked

Salesky's startup has attracted enough money and attention to play in the big leagues with Waymo and Cruise and is testing its robocars in six cities now. Ford and VW have invested about $2.6 billion in the private firm, which will give each automaker an autonomous driving system it can tailor to its own vehicle development programs.

47. Albert Biermann

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Head of Research and Development, Hyundai Motor Group

2019 Rank: 17

Biermann injected performance as head of Hyundai N, and now, as global R&D boss, he spreads his engineering prowess across all Hyundai Group brands. We anticipate a Ranger Raptor competitor for Hyundai, more N models, and a limited-production halo car in partnership with Rimac.

46. Alfonso Albaisa

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Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co.

2019 Rank: 36

Albaisa continues to redefine the look of the Nissan and Infiniti brands as they embrace a focus on electric vehicles. He poached former Lincoln designer David Woodhouse to help create distinctive Japanese designs. For Infiniti, the Inspiration concepts represent the future of the brand. At Nissan, an overhaul of the lineup is foreshadowed by the IMQ crossover concept.

45. Jim Hackett

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CEO, Ford

2019 Rank: Unranked

It has taken a couple of years for Hackett's ideas and methods to become clear, resonate, and show signs of change. He has made key partnership deals with VW and Rivian, expanded investment in Argo AI for autonomous driving, and sorted out the proper roles for his top lieutenants.

44. Masayoshi Son

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Founder and CEO, SoftBank Group

2019 Rank: Unranked

Son is a major player in Silicon Valley, and his Vision Fund has contributed to the mobility space with investments in Uber, Cruise, and a research project with Honda. He has outlined a 300-year plan to make SoftBank a leader in artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies.

43. Lewis Hamilton

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Formula 1 Driver, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport

2019 Rank: Unranked

The six-time world champion might be the best driver of his—or any—generation. Since his remarkable rookie season in 2007, he has dominated the most elite level of racing. The British driver's personal branding is unconventional, but his record speaks for itself, and his fans are legion.

42. Michael Mauer

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Director of Style, Porsche

2019 Rank: 27

Mauer took the almost perfect 911 and crafted a new iteration that retains its iconic grace and elegance. The designer also created the Taycan, Porsche's first electric car—which had to be recognizable as a Porsche while establishing a signature look for an electric future.

41. Tobias Moers

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Board of Management, Mercedes-AMG, Daimler

2019 Rank: 31

The man behind the performance brand is helping AMG transition to a new future with hybrids, such as the One (with its Formula 1 hybrid engine) and a new EQ Performance line, starting with an AMG GT 4-Door by the end of 2020, while populating the lineup with snarling 43, 53, and 63 models.

40. Thomas Ingenlath

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CEO and Chief Designer, Polestar

2019 Rank: 10

After a hybrid model introduced the electric performance brand, Polestar becomes a dedicated EV brand to compete with Tesla. Ingenlath oversees the design and business end of this electric performance vehicle division, which must look different from the Volvos Polestar shares technology with.

More on Polestar's future here.

39. Michael Simcoe

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Vice President of Global Design, General Motors

2019 Rank: Unranked

Simcoe took over the big chair in 2016, so his leadership and design influence is slowly rolling out. Long-term projects like the mid-engine Corvette were largely locked in, but the road appeal of the Chevrolet Blazer and the lines of the Cadillac CT5 have his touch.

38. Peter Faricy

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CEO of Global Direct to Consumer, Discovery

2019 Rank: Unranked

Faricy shepherds Discovery's U.S. digital projects as part of a larger plan to offer low-cost streaming of automotive content. He is positioning MotorTrend as Netflix for cars with Top Gear America, along with new garage, adventure, and lifestyle shows—bringing automotive entertainment to the masses.

37. Alejandro Agag

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Chairman, Formula E

2019 Rank: 46

Millions watch each race, as Formula E has become one of the world's fastest-growing sports, silencing skeptics and raising questions about whether Formula 1 should consider switching to electric race cars. More brands, companies, and cities continue to join as the electric car racing championship enters its sixth season with 14 races scheduled.

36. Andy Palmer

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President and Group CEO, Aston Martin Lagonda

2019 Rank: 4

Aston Martin had a rough first year on the stock market, but Palmer continues to work on a lineup of beautiful cars and developing a future with hybrids, a new V-6 engine, and a Lagonda EV lineup—while still offering V-12 cars in a world that demands compliance with stricter emissions regulations.

35. Marek Reichman

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Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin

2019 Rank: Unranked

Reichman has injected bold differentiation into new Astons, creating such diverse vehicles as the exotic Valkyrie hypercar, classically beautiful DB11 grand tourer, sporty Vantage two-seater, Vanquish mid-engine car, muscular DBS Superleggera, a first SUV with the DBX, and Lagonda electric concepts.

34. Britta Seeger

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Supervisory Board Member for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales, Daimler

2019 Rank: Unranked

Seeger is working to build the EQ electric brand, finally pulling the plug on the profit-draining Smart brand in the U.S., and ensuring all the Mercedes-Benz products in between are resonating with consumers. Sales have grown under her watch.

33. Carlos Tavares

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Chairman and CEO, PSA Group

2019 Rank: Unranked

General Motors couldn't make money with Opel in Europe, but Tavares, who raised eyebrows when PSA bought the brand in 2017, is delivering on his promise to turn the brand around with tough love, cost-cutting, and the same discipline he applied to his other brands—which are showing record profits.

32. Joe Hinrichs

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President of Automotive, Ford

2019 Rank: Unranked

Ford CEO Jim Hackett moved Hinrichs to the new role of overseeing the company's global automotive business as well as product development—a good fit given his business acumen and ability to work with others to get the job done. This puts him in line to succeed Hackett.

31. Giovanni Palazzo

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CEO and President, Electrify America

2019 Rank: Unranked

After seven years as VW's head of e-mobility strategy, Palazzo was put in charge of Electrify America, which is installing fast-charging stations across the U.S. The independent subsidiary of VW was born of scandal, but its comprehensive, open network of charging stations could be Dieselgate's redemption.

30. Takahiro Hachigo

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CEO, Honda

2019 Rank: 29

Under this chief executive with an engineering background, Honda is streamlining its products, consolidating models, reducing variants, introducing a new architecture, expanding its two-motor hybrid system, sharing more parts, reducing manpower, and spending more on R&D.

29. Chris Urmson

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Co-Founder and CEO, Aurora Innovation

2019 Rank: Unranked

After leading Google's self-driving unit, Urmson co-founded his own startup in 2017. Aurora has partnerships with FCA and Hyundai and investment from Amazon, and it's now valued at about $2.5 billion. Aurora's autonomous tech will be seen in 2021 in vehicles from Hyundai and Chinese startup Byton.

28. Mark Reuss

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President, General Motors

2019 Rank: 32

Reuss is managing the day-to-day for an automaker as focused on the Corvette and Silverado as the goal to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road annually while developing autonomous vehicles and still making a profit. It means overseeing a leaner company going forward to fund the expensive tech.

27. Ralf Speth

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CEO, Jaguar Land Rover

2019 Rank: 16

Love it or hate it, after 22 years of begging, the Defender returns to the U.S. Jaguar has its own SUVs now, and the next XJ flagship sedan is expected to be stunning and electric. Even as JLR fights Brexit and slowing sales, Speth is investing heavily and has partnered with BMW to develop electric powertrains.

26. Jensen Huang

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Founder and President, Nvidia

2019 Rank: 15

The founder of the graphics-processor chip company has become the king of AI. From gaming roots, he expanded into transportation, manufacturing, and other fields. He is riding the demand for graphics and artificial intelligence chips as deep learning becomes crucial to autonomous driving.

25. Ola Källenius

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Chairman and CEO, Daimler AG

2019 Rank: 41

The new CEO is making hard decisions to pare the lineup, reduce cost, and form alliances to improve margins while investing in electric and autonomous vehicles. Sales are strong in China, but there are still problems in Europe—where Daimler paid a fine for diesels accused of not meeting emissions regs.

24. Elon Musk

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CEO, Tesla

2019 Rank: 42

Another year of drama for Musk with lawsuits and SEC concerns over tweets. But sales continue to grow, affordable Model 3s are on the road, there's a new plant in China, and promises of a pickup, compact crossover, roadster, and a big rig continue. Ever the boy at heart, his cars can now fart.

23. Dhivya Suryadevara

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Chief Financial Officer, General Motors

2019 Rank: Unranked

In charge of GM's finance department since 2018, Suryadevara is pivotal in achieving annual cost reductions of $4.5 billion through 2020—ensuring the automaker has the resources for ambitious EV and autonomous vehicle plans while keeping things running during a protracted labor strike.

22. John Krafcik

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CEO, Waymo

2019 Rank: 6

Waymo has autonomous taxis on public roads in Phoenix, is mapping the streets of L.A., and will lease a factory in Detroit to retrofit vehicles from FCA and Jaguar to drive autonomously. Krafcik is also testing Waymo's self-driving technology in Class 8 trucks for use in the trucking industry.

21. Akio Toyoda

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President, Toyota

2019 Rank: 35

The scion of the founders remains in charge after a decade with no signs of slowing down. He wants to reinvent the company for the future of mobility with artificial intelligence, partnerships to address the cost of future tech, and an eye to spinning off divisions such as software development or telematics.

20. Häkan Samuelsson

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CEO, Volvo

2019 Rank: 3

Design overhaul—check. Creation of a more premium brand in Polestar—check. Big moves to go electric—check. Now the CEO wants to merge engine operations with China's Geely to create a stand-alone powertrain supplier. Those cut costs can then be used to fund all these future plans.

19. Stefan Weckbach

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Taycan Chief Engineer, Porsche

2019 Rank: Unranked

Weckbach is the man behind what might be the most significant, ambitious Porsche of all time: its first electric car that retains the brand's ultra-high-performance DNA. The Taycan has familial styling cues, punches you out of corners like a 911 Turbo, and offers a range expected to exceed 225 miles.

18. Mike Manley

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CEO, FCA

2019 Rank: 12

Since his sudden ascension to the top job, Manley has been quietly implementing the five-year plan, dealing with sales and diesel legal messes, and remaining open to mergers despite a failed attempt with Renault. He's also returning an idled Detroit plant to production to make a three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee.

17. Mike Flewitt

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CEO, McLaren

2019 Rank: 20

Flewitt is making McLaren synonymous with "supercar." His latest salvo: the magnificent Senna, which can deliver a spiritual awakening to even the most experienced drivers. The company continues to grow its product line, production, sales, profits, and stature under Flewitt's steady hand.

16. Thomas Ulbrich

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Member of the Board of Management for E-Mobility, Volkswagen

2019 Rank: 18

VW's commitment to electric vehicles is not lip service. The automaker has started showing some of the 33 models planned on the Modular Electric Drive platform. The Zwickau, Germany, plant and half the Chattanooga plant will be converted to make MEB vehicles.

15. Li Shufu

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Chairman of Zhejiang Geely, Volvo Cars, and Lynk & Co.

2019 Rank: 9

This auto czar is bringing his interests together as Volvo and Geely create a new stand-alone company to develop next-generation combustion engines and hybrid powertrains. Volvo will focus on electric powertrains that it can supply to Geely, Lynk & Co., Lotus, Proton, and LEVC (London cabs).

14. August Achleitner

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Vice President Product Line 911 and 718, Porsche

2019 Rank: Unranked

Mr. 911 calls it a career, but only after his final work: the 992 generation of the sports car he had overseen for 18 years. Achleitner lovingly crafted the evolution of the icon that defines the automaker, without losing its elegant lines or performance.

13. J.B. Straubel

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Co-Founder and Senior Adviser, Tesla

2019 Rank: Unranked

Straubel, the former chief technical officer at Tesla, has stepped back from day-to-day authority but will continue to apply his genius toward core technologies—especially around batteries, power electronics, and an expanding network of superchargers. He is essential to Tesla's drive to retain EV tech leadership.

12. Joy Falotico

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Chief Marketing Officer, Ford; President, Lincoln

2019 Rank: 38

Falotico has overseen the launch of two more hits for Lincoln—the compact Corsair and three-row Aviator—while upgrading the Nautilus. The brand now has a strong lineup that is restoring the storied Lincoln name. She is also overseeing Ford's restructuring of its global marketing and agencies.

11. Eui-Sun Chung

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Executive Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor Group

2019 Rank: 14

The heir apparent makes all the right moves, with vehicles marked by strong design, performance, packaging, and value. They source Hyundai steel and smartly share in-house component sets. A joint venture with Aptiv will develop autonomous cars, an area where Hyundai was falling behind.

10. Marketer: Alan Bethke

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Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America

2019 Rank: Unranked

Bethke peddles love. Responsible for Subaru marketing, Bethke is steward of the highly successful campaign that has boosted brand awareness and sales for a decade. The tagline, "Love. It's what makes a Subaru a Subaru," made it to a skit on SNL and a question on Jeopardy!. Say no more.

9. One to Watch: Mate Rimac

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Founder, Rimac Automobili

2019 Rank: Unranked

The Croatian entrepreneur builds electric hypercars—the $2 million C Two comes out next year—and makes advanced high-density battery systems for other brands' high-performance vehicles. He has partnered with Seat and received investment from Porsche and Hyundai.

8. Showman: Charles Gordon-Lennox

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Duke of Richmond, founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival

2019 Rank: Unranked

Lord March, as he was previously known, is the founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, which attract 150,000 motoring enthusiasts a day to his estate in the U.K. to watch vehicles from every era make the famous hill climb. It is a model that could become the auto show of the future.

7. Lion of Industry: Roger Penske

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Founder and Chairman, Penske Corporation

2019 Rank: Unranked

Penske, the businessman who has become synonymous with retailing as much as racing, oversees an array of transportation companies, including dealerships and race teams that date back 50 years. The former professional race car driver added this year's Indy 500 and IMSA titles to his vast collection.

6. CEO: Mary Barra

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Chairman and CEO, General Motors

2019 Rank: 11

Barra continues to be the tough, shrewd, and strategic leader that GM needs to remain profitable while investing heavily in electric and autonomous vehicles. Her decisive, no-nonsense approach has led to unpopular decisions to discontinue models, stop production, and cut jobs to meet long-term financial goals.

5. Designer: David Woodhouse

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Vice President of Nissan Design America, Nissan

2019 Rank: 22

The former Lincoln design chief hopes to replicate his magic for transforming overlooked vehicles into head turners for the aging Nissan and Infiniti portfolios. Woodhouse's work has been exceptional and thrust Lincoln back into the spotlight as America's luxury brand. Can lightning strike twice?

4. Engineer: Tadge Juechter

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Corvette Chief Engineer, General Motors

2019 Rank: Unranked

Juechter was able to squeeze the final dollops of power out of the C7 Corvette and then create a whole new beast: the long-awaited C8 with a mid-engine to increase power and performance. Despite all the tech, he engineered an affordable everyman's supercar: 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds for $60,000.

3. Futurist: RJ Scaringe

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Founder and CEO, Rivian Automotive

2019 Rank: Unranked

The super-cool R1S electric SUV and R1T EV pickup are scheduled to start production next year, and Scaringe, an MIT-educated engineer, is making his skateboard platform available to others interested in his tech. That includes Ford and its $500 million investment, which will net the Blue Oval an electric SUV.

2. Product Czar: Kumar Galhotra

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President, Ford North America

2019 Rank: Unranked

After spending four years turning around the Lincoln brand, Galhotra stepped up to the top job in North America, where he oversees product development among a hundred other details. He gets credit for ensuring Fords and Lincolns are well differentiated and squarely aimed at their respective buyers. How Ford competes for car shoppers while walking away from traditional sedans will be his biggest challenge.

1. Peter Schreyer

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President, Head of Design Management

Hyundai Motor Group

2019 Rank: 33

Peter Schreyer is the unflappable man in black, the German designer behind the original Audi TT and rebirthed Volkswagen New Beetle. When he left Volkswagen Group in 2006 to become chief design officer for Kia, it was a lane change many did not see coming.

But Schreyer adjusted his trademark Philippe Starck glasses and clutched the clean sheet of paper he was handed. Korean vehicles were known for their value proposition, but they were saddled with styling that was either anonymous or juvenile. Make us respectable and respected, he was told. Not an easy task with a maker of econoboxes not long exited from bankruptcy.

Schreyer set out to make Kia sporty and recognizable. The 2010 Optima was the first Kia designed entirely under his direction. The mature, upscale sedan with its signature grille wouldn't have been out of place with a BMW roundel on its hood, and it was the catalyst for the future transformation of the lineup.

Since then, Schreyer has created hit after hit. The second coming of the boxy, quirky Soul appealed to the elusive millennial buyer (and annihilated Toyota's Scion xB in the process). He expanded Kia's breadth with the K900 luxury sedan, the sexy Stinger sport coupe, and even the premium-on-a-budget Kia Rio subcompact. His vehicles stand out on today's crowded roads, blending Korean culture and love of technology.

Given his success in changing the perception of the Kia brand, the company smartly gave him more responsibility and a greater domain. He became one of three Hyundai Group presidents, responsible for the company's long-term design vision and differentiation between the brands.

Schreyer is only the third automotive designer to be honored by the Royal College of Art, following in the steps of the legendary Sergio Pininfarina and Giorgetto Giugiaro. It is just another endorsement of his talent for creating stunning vehicles in one of the largest turnarounds in automotive history.