Alliance for Automotive Innovation Announces New V.P. of Safety Policy
Industry Association Veteran Scott Schmidt Named Safety Policy Vice President
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators), the single, unified industry voice representing innovative manufacturers and value chain partners who together produce nearly 99 percent of U.S. sold light-duty vehicles, promoted Scott Schmidt to the post of Vice President, Safety Policy, based in the Washington, D.C., office. Schmidt brings more than 25 years of experience in auto policy to the senior leadership position.
He assumes the role after working on the team that launched Auto Innovators in 2020. Prior to Auto Innovators, Schmidt served as Senior Director, Safety and Regulatory Affairs at one of the association’s predecessor organizations, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
“Today, the industry is in a critical and unprecedented time of change,” said Auto Innovators President and CEO John Bozzella. “Having a clear vision of how we articulate this transformation to key audiences is essential to how the industry continues evolving. Scott will play a key role in guiding the industry’s safety policies.”
Schmidt is a proven automotive safety expert with a career spanning public service, positions at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and working within an automaker. His in-depth expertise with federal safety regulations provides him with a balanced perspective on the need to transition policy to the next generation of mobility. He has also played a key role in international harmonization efforts and will continue working in the international arena as the U.S. works to maintain its global competitiveness in advancing safer, cleaner, smarter vehicles.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue working with our members and the international safety community in this new role,” said Schmidt. “Our priority will continue to be identifying and implementing policies that stimulate the investment and deployment of advanced safety technologies that benefit the traveling public. This is critical to advancing the future of personal mobility and accessibility.”
Schmidt served as a safety compliance engineer at Land Rover North America and began his career with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a vehicle safety engineer. He graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.