Lucas Malinowski
Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) has named Lucas Malinowski as its new President and CEO, completing a leadership transition following the retirement of longtime industry executive David Adams.
Malinowski succeeds Adams, who stepped down June 1 after 35 years in Canada’s automotive sector and more than two decades leading the association. During his tenure, Adams helped guide the organization through major industry developments, including Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade negotiations, the COVID-19 pandemic and the industry’s ongoing transition toward electrification.
The appointment takes effect immediately.
Malinowski has served as GAC’s vice-president since March 2025 and director of federal affairs since April 2023. In those roles, he led advocacy efforts on federal issues affecting the association’s members and helped oversee the work of GAC’s government policy and legal committees. He brings more than a decade of public affairs experience across several sectors, most recently with a Canadian energy industry association.
“Lucas is currently the association’s Vice President and Director of Federal Affairs and has done an excellent job in that role and I know the Board joins me in expressing every confidence that Lucas will excel in the association’s new senior executive and continue to evolve the Global Automakers of Canada in a manner that benefits all members while growing the association’s influence in public policy making in Canada,” said Cyril Dimitris, President and CEO of Toyota Canada and GAC Chair.
The association said Malinowski’s appointment followed an extensive search process.
“Lucas’ appointment was not a foregone conclusion,” said Andrew Scott, President and CEO of BMW Canada Inc. and GAC vice-chair. “We undertook an extensive search to ensure we had the best candidate identified to continue to move the association forward and we have found that in Lucas.”
Malinowski holds a bachelor of arts in political science with a minor in dialogue communications from Simon Fraser University.
GAC represents the Canadian interests of global automakers and advocates on issues including trade, regulation, electrification and industry competitiveness.
