Former Ford of Europe president Martin Leach has denied rumours that he will head Fiat Auto.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


Leach became CEO of the luxury sports car maker Maserati on June 1. Maserati is owned by Fiat group, which also controls 90% of Fiat Auto.


After Leach left Ford last August, he was due to become CEO of Fiat Auto.


Ford blocked the appointment claiming Leach’s contract with Ford prevented him from working for other automakers.


Leach’s new Maserati post raised speculation that he could once more be a candidate to head Fiat Auto.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“I have no plans to be involved in Fiat Auto,” Leach said at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Montreux.


Leach confirmed that Maserati aims to sell 10,000 cars a year starting from 2007. This year the company is scheduled to produce 4,800 cars. Last year Maserati built 2,839 cars.


“I have been with the company for just four weeks and I’m still on my learning curve,” Leach told the Congress.


In October, Fiat Auto hired former Volkswagen Brazil head Herbert Demel as its CEO. Ford dropped its bid to prevent Leach from finding another industry job in May.