2023 Induction & Awards Ceremony

2023 Induction & Awards Ceremony

July 20, 2023

The Fillmore Detroit
2115 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48201

Inductee
Mary Barra
Mary Barra became the first woman CEO in the automotive industry in 2014. Barra navigated GM through the ignition switch recall, established gender equity and equal pay, and is viewed as one of today’s most inspirational leaders. As Chairman and CEO of General Motors, Barra envisions a world with zero crashes, to save lives; zero emissions, so future generations can inherit a healthier planet; and zero congestion, so customers get back a precious commodity – time.
UNITED STATES

Inductee
Fred T. Bauer
Fred Bauer is a successful serial entrepreneur who has built two companies, both advancing automotive components.  The first company he founded was Simicon Co., which made electronic controls for heating and air conditioning products. Later, Bauer launched Gentex.  One of Gentex’s most important innovations was the world’s first electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror.  In 2022, Gentex global revenue exceeded $1.8 billion.
UNITED STATES

Inductee
Juan Manuel Fangio
Juan Manuel Fangio is the greatest driver in the history of motorsports. During the 1940s and 50s, he overcame the barriers of age, geography, and the highest mortality rate ever in racing. Fangio’s mastery of the Nürburgring racecourse – considered the most challenging course in the world – earned him the nickname El Maestro. He created the Juan Manuel Fangio Foundation to support his charitable work and spent the final years of his life as a proponent for the rights of senior drivers.
ARGENTINA

Inductee
Takeo Fujisawa
There would be no Honda Motor Company without Takeo Fujisawa. He matched founder, Soichiro Honda’s acumen, with marketing savvy, business sense and a keen ability to see paths to growth. As Soichiro Honda pushed engine innovation, Fujisawa focused on the operational imperatives of running an enterprise.
JAPAN

Inductee
McKinley W. Thompson, Jr.
In 1956, McKinley Thompson made history by becoming the first African American industrial designer – landing a job at Ford’s legendary Advanced Design Studio. Thompson went on to a 28-year career at Ford Motor Company and was pivotal in shaping some of the company’s most iconic brands – including the Thunderbird, Mustang and Bronco. His acumen and design aesthetic left an indelible mark on the automotive world.
UNITED STATES

Inductee
Larry Wood
Larry Wood is widely known as Mr. Hot Wheels. Starting at Mattel in 1969, one year after the line of diecast cars was launched. He went on to a 40-year career designing some of the most well-known and unique Hot Wheels cars. Hot Wheels completely upset the small diecast car model industry and forced competitors to completely rethink their concepts. Wood’s designs inspired generations of automotive enthusiasts.
UNITED STATES

Mobility Innovator Awardee
Jensen Huang
Jensen Huang is the co-founder, CEO and president of NVIDIA, a graphics-chip maker that designs chips for games, data centers, and self-driving cars.
UNITED STATES

Industry Influencer
Mary Joyce
UNITED STATES

Industry Influencer
John J. Murphy
UNITES STATES

Industry Influencer
Beth Paretta
UNITED STATES

Industry Influencer
Steve St. Andre
UNITED STATES 

The Inductees

look back at our ceremonies

Since its founding in 1939, the Automotive Hall of Fame has honored nearly 800 men and women from around the world. To see details about our previous induction ceremonies, please select a year below.

  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2020
  • 2019

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