25 Aug AmCham Shanghai Appoints New Automotive Committee Chair

Shanghai, China, August 21, 2018

Bill Russo, Founder & CEO, Automobility Limited

“ Assuming the role as chair of AmCham Shanghai’s Automotive Committee is a great honor and privilege.  Since coming to China in 2004 with Chrysler, I have learned how uniquely challenging it can be as a place to do business.  China is a rapidly expanding and constantly evolving market with a unique mix of public and private industries working together with a highly experimental mind-set for introducing technology and business model innovation.  As such, the formula for business success in this industry must increasingly be tailored to the China context and is highly influenced by policy. 

At the same time, the business model of the industry is being transformed by the presence of disruptive new competitors which are not just putting people in cars, but also putting them to the digital ecosystem of the companies that are offering mobility as a service.  This is accelerating the pace for commercialization of connected, electric and autonomous vehicle technology.  I look forward to working closely with the member companies to help successfully navigate through such a critical period in the automotive industry in the world’s largest mobility market.“ – Bill Russo (Aug 21, 2018)

Bill Russo is the Shanghai-based Founder and CEO of Automobility Limited, a strategy and investment advisory firm helping its clients to create the future of mobility.  His over 35 years of experience includes 15 years as an automotive executive, including 14 years of experience in China and Asia.  He has also worked nearly 12 years in the electronics and information technology industries.  He has worked as an advisor and consultant for numerous multinational and local Chinese firms in the formulation and implementation of their global market and product strategies.

In his current role, Bill advises start-ups, corporations and investors on how to maximize their participation in China’s Automobility Revolution.  In order to achieve success, he believes they must expand their focus from the product (the automobile) to the utility derived from the product (“automobility”), and create a business model and digital ecosystem optimized to provide digitally enabled solutions for both car owners and mobility services users.

Bill was previously the regional head of Chrysler in North East Asia, where he successfully negotiated agreements with partners and obtained required approvals from the China government to bring six new vehicle programs to the market in a three-year period, while concurrently establishing an infrastructure for local sourcing and sales distribution.

Mr. Russo has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University in New York, and a Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Russo is a highly sought after opinion leader on the development of the China market and the automotive industry.

Click here to view this announcement at AmCham Shanghai site