The automotive world is in the midst of a sea change, and according to Time Magazine, the four automotive companies with the greatest impact on the world are Volkswagen, General Motors, Tesla, and China’s BYD.
In fact, the cover of the Time100 issue focused on the most influential companies on earth will feature GM CEO Mary Barra on one of five covers it’s being published with. Each will feature one of the businesses on the list and an in-depth interview with its CEO.
Time Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Edward Felsenthal, said that the list seeks to recognize companies “that are shaping our collective future, as well as the leaders who steer them.”
Barra’s cover sees her standing in front of a GMC Hummer EV, which should give you a clue as to what Time thinks makes these companies so influential. With all four companies looking to popularize EVs, their influence seems to be defined by electric propulsion.
Read Also: GM Intends To Stop Selling Gasoline Vehicles By 2035, Will Be Carbon Neutral By 2040
Time lauds Tesla for moving beyond “just manufacturing some of the world’s most glamorous cars” to producing home products like the Powerwall.
Asked what she thinks of Elon Musk as a CEO, as part of her larger interview with the magazine, Barra responded “I really don’t have any comment on that.” GM’s CEO was also eager to remind the outlet that the Bolt has been around for years, successfully selling in large numbers.
Volkswagen, meanwhile, has started its electric push (in the US, anyway) with the ID.4 this year. The company, still dealing with the aftermath of the Dieselgate scandal, is managing to push forward with the vehicle that’s based on a new EV-only platform.
“I’m honored that TIME chose to recognize the work thousands of Volkswagen employees around the world are doing to lead our industry and address global warming,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “The launch of the electric ID.4 SUV has shown that Americans are ready to embrace electric driving with exciting, innovative vehicles priced right for the market. We want to make the electric future a reality now.”
BYD, meanwhile, which is backed by Warren Buffet, earned itself a spot in the innovator category. The Chinese EV manufacturer has been building cars like the Han which can get to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and has a range of 342 miles (550 km).
