Today, we examine the performances of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, VW + Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has acknowledged shortcomings in his company's North American operations. In a display of accountability, Tavares took full responsibility, admitting to his own arrogance as a factor contributing to their failures. Tavares revealed that a convergence of manufacturing issues and ballooning inventories had not been addressed promptly. While Tavares deserves credit for his humility, concerns are raised about whether he is addressing the right problems. In seeking cost-cutting measures, the decision to move engineering departments to cheaper locations raises some doubts. The company's current challenge lies in producing competitive cars in the United States, and outsourcing engineering may not be the ideal solution.

VW + Porsche CEO Oliver Blume faces questions about his capability in handling both companies simultaneously. Despite the historical success of the partnership between Volkswagen and Porsche, financial reporter Chris Bryant argues that Blume's leadership has adversely affected VW's market value. VW's preference shares have dropped 20% since Blume's appointment, leaving the automotive empire seemingly devalued. Concerns such as China's market relevance, software delays, the lack of competitive electric vehicles, and underperformance of the Audi division still persist. Nonetheless, the ongoing brand experimentation and Porsche's enduring desirability globally suggests that managing both positions may not be as detrimental as claimed.

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota, faces calls from activist investor groups to step down due to various controversies surrounding the company. Despite this, columnist Hans Griemel argues that Toyoda should retain his position. Toyoda's strategic vision has transformed Toyota, making it the most profitable public company in Japanese history. His commitment to delivering "ever better cars" has resulted in improved design and performance. Successfully balancing the sales mix and revamping vehicle families, Toyoda has breathed new life into Toyota. While challenges exist, Toyoda's track record suggests that he is deserving of continued support.

In a different context, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to receive the biggest paycheck in history. Vanguard, a major investor holding a 7% stake in the company, played a pivotal role in supporting Musk's massive payday, despite initially voting against the pay package in 2018. Vanguard's change of heart was influenced by Tesla's exceptional shareholder returns, ranking in the 98th percentile among all Russell 3000 companies from 2018 through 2023. Despite Musk's pay being an outlier among CEOs, Vanguard acknowledges the significant market value appreciation Tesla has achieved.

As CEOs navigate the present, they endure the pressure of both short-term results and long-term success. Assessing their performance is a complex task, often subject to differing opinions. With contrasting views on Tavares, Blume, Toyoda, and Musk, the future remains uncertain for these influential leaders and their respective companies.