This week, the automotive world lost one of it’s shining lights. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automotive) passed away following a year-long battle with health complications he had kept secret. Described by some as “one of the boldest business leaders of his generation”, Marchionne was famous for stabilising the ship at FCA during a time when collapse looked a certainty, and was credited with the resurgence of a number of car makers including Fiat, Chrysler and Alfa Romeo.
Many took to social media to show their respect and admiration for a brilliant CEO. Our regular Tweet of the Week feature takes a look at how the business world and the automotive industry said goodbye.
Shortly after the news broke, Marchionne's company FCA sent this tweet…
https://twitter.com/fcagroup/status/1022161379632078849
Ferrari were quick to follow with a touching tribute…
All of us at Ferrari feel privileged to have worked alongside a courageous leader like Sergio Marchionne, a man of enormous humanity and intelligence. In this moment of sadness, we join with his family in remembering him with immense affection. pic.twitter.com/chxYZWnjWs
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 25, 2018
The loss of such a brilliant businessman clearly touched many other CEOs as the news was met with shock and sadness from other business and world leaders…
Sad to hear of the unexpected passing of Sergio Marchionne, an auto industry visionary and a remarkable leader. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at Fiat Chrysler.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) July 25, 2018
Sergio Marchionne, who passed away today, was one of the most brilliant & successful car executives since the days of the legendary Henry Ford. It was a great honor for me to get to know Sergio as POTUS, he loved the car industry, and fought hard for it. He will be truly missed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018
He was a giant in the auto industry, a friend of the Italian-Canadian community, and a visionary in the corporate world. Sergio Marchionne’s death is a huge loss, and Sophie and I send our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/cpdYJ5YAzC
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 25, 2018
Sergio achieved a colossal amount for the automotive industry and motor sport worldwide. He was an endearing, upstanding and brave man, an unconventional and visionary leader.
My tribute to Sergio Marchionne: https://t.co/33twI5k2EY— Jean Todt (@JeanTodt) July 25, 2018
RIP Sergio Marchionne (1952-2018). The three months I spent studying you, Fiat and the automobile industry in 2012 was an orgasmic experience. I used to be up till 4 AM every nite then. You are among the greatest business leaders in history. I love you Sergio and miss you deeply. pic.twitter.com/gQyp0YV3sX
— Mohnish Pabrai (@MohnishPabrai) July 26, 2018
His influence and success throughout his career prompted The New York Stock Exchange and Italian football giant Juventus, who are part owned by FCA, to pay their respects in a series of tweets…
We mourn the passing of auto industry legend Sergio Marchionne. He helped multiple companies (Fiat Chrysler, Ferrari, CNH Industrial) tap the public markets, creating thousands of jobs across the globe. Here he is pictured in 2015, the day he took Ferrari public. #RIPSergio pic.twitter.com/r5KA2QcsH0
— NYSE 🏛 (@NYSE) July 25, 2018
Juventus expresses its condolences after the passing of Sergio Marchionne. https://t.co/JUYNdpC3BK pic.twitter.com/L9tc2fFAyP
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) July 25, 2018
In memory of Sergio Marchionne, tonight the team will take to the field wearing black armbands.
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) July 25, 2018
Marchionne’s achievements and character were such that his competitors reflected upon the passing of an industry titan with great sadness…
https://twitter.com/Ford/status/1022171674043662336
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sergio Marchionne. On behalf of all of us at Aston Martin Lagonda, @astonmartin I would like to extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles @fiat
— Dr. Andy Palmer (@AndyatAuto) July 25, 2018
“The auto industry has lost a real giant. And many of us have lost a very dear friend: Sergio Marchionne.” #Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche
👉https://t.co/tZFcRtDQrD pic.twitter.com/G411KFtnEp
— Daimler Truck (@DaimlerTruck) July 25, 2018
Many other F1 teams sent messages of condolence and respect...
Condolences to the family and friends of Sergio Marchionne. A great competitor on and off track @scuderiaferrari. Riposi in pace. pic.twitter.com/grsG9y8xDE
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 25, 2018
Our deepest condolences go to Sergio Marchionne's family, friends and to @ScuderiaFerrari on this sad day. May you rest in peace Sergio. pic.twitter.com/Aq9JIdKXQJ
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) July 25, 2018
As the team gathers for another race, we all remember a true friend and great inspiration to us all. Everyone at Alfa Romeo Sauber thanks Sergio Marchionne for his services to not just Formula One, but the automotive industry as a whole. Our thoughts are with him and his family. pic.twitter.com/F4L8ijS1fm
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) July 26, 2018
A sad day for Motorsport.
All of us at Scuderia Toro Rosso are saddened to learn of Sergio Marchionne's death. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the @ScuderiaFerrari team. pic.twitter.com/8OmGPogxV9
— Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (@visacashapprb) July 25, 2018
...as did a host of professional racing drivers:
Very sad to hear that Sergio Marchionne has passed away. All my condolences to his family and @ScuderiaFerrari RIP 🙏
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) July 25, 2018
We have lost a huge #Ferrari man, RIP Sergio #Marchionne #FCA #AlfaRomeo #Maserati pic.twitter.com/GmzR8vmUPK
— Giancarlo Fisichella (@OfficialFisico) July 25, 2018
Just arrived in Budapest. Reading very sad news about Sergio Marchionne. Rest in peace. All my thoughts with the family.
— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) July 25, 2018
As the outpouring of love and respect continues, The University of Windsor where Marchionne was an alumni posted:
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sergio Marchionne.
Sergio, a @UWindsor alumnus, helped establish the #UWindsorENG Torino exchange program & was an inspiration to many of our students. Here he is making time to share advice w/ our students https://t.co/m1p0CHL3uA pic.twitter.com/ynCTvgolOo
— UWindsor Engineering (@UWindsorENG) July 25, 2018
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari acknowledged the great loss by flying their flags at half-mast and adding a black stripe on both cars during practice...
The Ferrari flag at half mast in the Hungarian GP Paddock in respect of the passing of Sergio Marchionne #F1 pic.twitter.com/AFYQ3D2MEh
— Motorsport Images (@MSI_Images) July 26, 2018
The Ferrari flag at half mast, black armbands and a black stripe on the car in memory of Sergio Marchionne pic.twitter.com/MKzn99gxEW
— Gianluca D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) July 26, 2018
It’s clear that Marchionne’s passing leaves a void in the automotive industry, the reverberations of which are sure to be felt throughout the sector and one must both mourn and recover the loss of a true innovator and exceptional leader.
We’ll leave you with some of Sergio Marchionne’s own words of wisdom:
"Life is too short to let the world we experience be restricted by our own limited vision." — Sergio Marchionne
