--- title: "The Automotive World and Beyond Reacts to Sergio Marchionne’s Death" description: "From Formula 1 racing teams to direct competitors, everyone's mourning the famous Italian." date: "2018-07-26" modified: "2018-07-26" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/22391/the-automotive-world-and-beyond-reacts-to-sergio-marchionnes-death" categories: - "News" tags: - "automotive news" - "Breaking News" - "FCA" - "News" - "Sergio Marchionne" --- # The Automotive World and Beyond Reacts to Sergio Marchionne’s Death ![]() *\www.thedrive.com* Sergio Marchionne, the last [icon of the executive branch]() of the automotive industry, was confirmed dead on Wednesday morning after allegedly suffering an embolism while undergoing shoulder surgery. The unforeseen complications led to Marchionne going into a coma that he [never came back from](). Now, the automotive industry and business sector mourn the loss of a true leader. The Italian-Canadian came from humble beginnings, and it wasn't until his family fled to Toronto due to a hostile sociopolitical climate in Italy that Marchionne's prowess became evident during his school years and eventually the workforce. During his entire career, but primarily during his [tenure at Fiat Chrysler](), Marchionne gained a reputation for turning around failing corporations—and wearing sweaters rather than suits. However, one of Marchionne's biggest feats wasn't to bring business units back to profitability but to earn the respect of his peers and even his competitors, most of whom have shared their sadness through public statements or social media posts. ## FCA Group https://twitter.com/_/status/1022161379632078849 ## Bill Ford - Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company https://twitter.com/_/status/1022171674043662336 ## Mary Barra - Chairman and CEO of General Motors Company https://twitter.com/_/status/1022081083280687105 ## Scuderia Ferrari - Formula 1 Team https://twitter.com/_/status/1022169412940558337 ## Jean Todt - FIA President https://twitter.com/_/status/1022119054587379715 ## Tim Cook - Apple Chief Executive Officer https://twitter.com/_/status/1022147000144343043 ## Justin Trudeau - Prime Minister of Canada https://twitter.com/_/status/1022163277550428160 ## Andy Palmer - Aston Martin CEO https://twitter.com/_/status/1022089279885979653 ## Ralph Gilles - FCA President of Product Design https://www.instagram.com/p/BlqfDajAn5V ## Dieter Zetsche - Daimler AG Chairman (Mercedes-Benz) https://twitter.com/_/status/1022085660793073665 ## Fernando Alonso - F1 World Champion & Former Ferrari Driver https://twitter.com/_/status/1022102255070273536 ## Felipe Massa - Former Ferrari Formula 1 Driver https://www.instagram.com/p/Blp5TFXAGxW ## NYSE - The New York Stock Exchange https://twitter.com/_/status/1022091835420880896 ## Gov. Rick Snyder - Michigan Governor https://twitter.com/_/status/1022112487326527488 ## Josh "Chop" Towbin - America's Largest FCA Franchise Owner https://www.instagram.com/p/BlqXemaDPLw ## Zak Brown - McLaren CEO https://twitter.com/_/status/1022085153387147265 ## F1 - Formula One World Championship https://twitter.com/_/status/1022076066297458689 ## Juventus FC - Italian Soccer Team https://twitter.com/_/status/1022087694892130306 ## Dr. Ralph Speth - Jaguar Land Rover CEO https://twitter.com/_/status/1022114604665724930 ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()