James Gillette is an automotive industry analyst with over thirty-three years of experience in business, financial, and economic market analysis and forecasting.

Previously serving as Director of Automotive Analysis at IHS, he provided support for clients with investment interests in the global auto industry.

Prior to joining CSM Worldwide, Inc. in 2003 (acquired by IHS in 2010), Gillette served the prior thirteen years as Vice President of Automotive Forecasting with IRN, Inc. Beginning as a Strategic Marketing Consultant for the Automotive Components Group (currently Delphi) of General Motors, his experience in the global auto industry dates to 1988. Gillette was also a chief economist and marketing controller in the insurance industry.

Gillette has taught finance at the undergraduate and MBA levels for 28 years for Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. He earned his B.S. degree at GVSU and his MBA with a concentration in Finance from Seidman. Jim was elected to the Delta Mu Delta business honor society; he received the Finance Department’s H.B. Shaine Award, Graduating With Distinction. In addition, Gillette was the 2005 recipient of the Seidman College of Business Outstanding Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.

 

  • Industry Trends:

    • Published numerous articles covering auto industry topics
    • Co-authored the management study, Winning in an Age of Change: The new rules of engagement in automotive supply.
    • Widely quoted in the automotive and general business media including The Wall Street Journal, Barrons, BusinessWeek, Automotive News, and Financial Times
    • Has made appearances on CNBC, CNN, and the Fox News and Fox Business Networks

  • Mergers & Acquisitions and Investment Analysis: Worked extensively with over ninety clients having interests in the global automotive industry advising the risk-reward profile of auto industry opportunities. Examples of engagements include:

    • Acquisition due diligence support for a large private equity firm acquiring an automaker
    • Evaluating the outlook for secured loan collateral for a major private equity firm extending funds to top-five global OE
    • Supported a decision analysis by a large Tier 1 supplier as to whether to exit the North American market
    • Advised two distressed debt lenders that enabled them to save millions as the result of recommendations regarding an investment in a global top-five bankrupt auto supplier
    • Performed numerous due diligence activities for private equity, hedge funds, and commercial banks

  • Auto Supplier Market Planning:

    • Developed strategic market plans for numerous Tier One and Two suppliers, forecasted global demand for vehicles, systems, modules, and components
    • Built scenarios covering the market outlook for various technologies
    • Analyzed trends in industry structure and their consequences for the competitive outlook

  • Board of Directors / Corporate Governance: Served as a director for several years for two private and one publicly traded auto suppliers including holding the chairmanship of the audit committee for the public firm.