The chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover will step down from the role later this year after more than a decade in charge.
Sir Ralf Speth has been in the post since February 2010 but will switch to become the luxury car manufacturer's non-executive vice chairman in September.
His current contract term ends in September, the same month he turns 65.
Jaguar Land Rover is headquartered in Coventry and has major manufacturing operations across the city alongside sites in Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Halewood on Merseyside.
Sir Ralf said: "I feel very honoured to have worked with so many dedicated and creative people, both inside and outside of Jaguar Land Rover.
"We have elevated Jaguar and Land Rover. I want to say thank you for all their support and commitment.
"We offer our customers multi award-winning products and will continue to surprise with the best pipeline of new, innovative products we have ever had.
"Personally, I am looking forward to new and exciting challenges."
It has been a tumultuous decade in charge for the German who took over the top job two years after the company was brought back from the brink by its owner Tata in a rescue deal from Ford.
During that time, it has opened new plants in Slovakia and Brazil and was a vocal champion of the campaign to remain in the EU but has continued to invest in its UK operations despite the Brexit uncertainty.
However, it has never been far from the headlines as it battled with trade unions at its factories in the West Midlands and North West, particularly on matters related to agency staff, and announced plans to lay off thousands of workers.
Last summer, the company said it planned to produce three new electric vehicles from its plant in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, while it enjoyed overseas success in the US and China before seeing sales slump in the latter.
Sir Ralf has also championed UK manufacturing and called for more investment into UK battery technology.
JLR chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran added: "I want to thank Ralf for his passion and commitment over the last ten years.
"Ralf developed Jaguar Land Rover from a niche UK centric manufacturer to a respected, technological leading, global premium company.
"I am delighted that Ralf has agreed to maintain his relationship with Jaguar Land Rover by becoming non-executive vice chairman.
"Ralf will also remain on the board of Tata Sons. A search committee has been formed which will work with me to identify a suitable successor in the coming months."
