John Jörn Stech | Founder / Principal Consultant
Shiftgate Consulting LLC

John Stech is an international automotive expert with 30 years of accumulated experience at four major automotive manufacturers.  

Most recently he held executive roles, including Global CMO, at VinFast in Hanoi, Vietnam. Previously he served as VP, Strategy & Sustainability at Volvo Car Americas where he supported a launch team in preparing the brand’s ecosystem for dramatic EV sales growth.  

Internationally, he led 20 countries as Region Vice President in Volvo Car Americas Latin America Region.  He also held three separate Managing Director assignments leading country operations in Russia and Egypt guiding brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, and Volvo, through both crisis and high-growth periods in the respective markets. 

Since 2021 he operates Shiftgate Consulting LLC, an automotive consulting practice with a portfolio of international projects. These include management and strategy consulting, go-to-market strategy for new market entry, transition to electrified mobility, supporting utilities in consumer EV adoption, and advising several early-stage EV startups.

John values creative data-driven solutions, diverse teams, top-notch innovative product, and exquisite customer experience enveloped in strong company culture. He holds an MBA from the University of New Hampshire as well as a Bachelor Degree in Chemistry and German from Bucknell University.