Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • 2022 Diversity Champions
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • EVs Decoded
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Unobvious Ones
January 19, 2023 09:21 AM

THE UNOBVIOUS ONES: Caught between a rock and COVID-19

The Unobvious Ones is a monthly look at movers and shakers who fly below the radar in the Canadian auto industry

Jil McIntosh
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    January Unobvious Ones

    Diana Di Michele, left, and Alain Leynaert are the latest pair of Unobvious Ones, movers and shakers who fly below the radar in the Canadian auto industry.

    The Unobvious Ones is a monthly look at movers and shakers who fly below the radar in the Canadian auto industry.

    DIANA DI MICHELE

    HEALTH AND SAFETY IS NOT JUST PHYSICAL

    More than 3,000 people work at Stellantis’ assembly plant in Brampton, Ont., and they need to leave for home each day in one piece. That’s the objective for Diana Di Michele, a health and safety specialist in the factory.

    “Every day is a challenge, seeing things constantly change, especially with the guidelines around COVID,” she said. “I have to get the message through that ‘yesterday we did this, but today we have to do that.’ I understand people’s frustrations about it, but I’m a social person and it’s easy for me to stay calm and relate to them but get the message across.”

    • Head here to view our past Unobvious Ones

    Di Michele and her supervisor are health and safety specialists in the plant, and a team of safety representatives reports to them.

    “Much of my job is compliance-based, making sure we’re meeting corporate and government guidelines. I manage routine safety tracking and data as well as investigations when things come up.

    “Some days I can be on the floor from one end of the plant to the other, or on the computer updating policies.”

    The 32-year-old went to nursing school, “but I’m a germophobe, and it wasn’t for me, so I switched and got a degree in health and safety.”

    Starting in 2015, she spent two summers as a vacation replacement worker at the Brampton plant. When she graduated in 2016, she was hired for health and safety at the FCA casting plant in Toronto.

    She went back to Brampton in her current position in 2018.

    “That’s where I started and I knew everyone, and it’s a bigger plant and more of a learning opportunity.”

    In addition to physical safety, “we’re focusing on a wellness approach to safety. The focus will go beyond and look at mental health as well.”

    ALAIN LEYNAERT

    LUXURY PLANNING FOR CANADIAN CUSTOMERS

    There are market nuances when it comes to luxury vehicles and it’s Alain Leynaert’s job as product planning manager at Jaguar Land Rover in Mississauga, Ont., to understand them.

    He consults with his U.S. counterparts to determine models and powertrains for Canadian buyers.

    “We offer a higher entry spec in Range Rover and Sport than in the U.S. and a richer number of V-8 models,” Leynaert said.

    “[Canadians] tend to expect more features than in other markets.”

    There are more U.S. buyers who primarily want the nameplate and will take a lesser-equipped model that’s at the limit of their budget, he said.

    “For Canadians, it’s a luxury product at a luxury price, and that’s where the [market] intricacies come in.” Leynaert, 39, grew up in a “car-obsessed family,” and a birthday gift of Car and Driver magazine steered him to journalism school to be an auto writer.

    “A research company in the U.K. wanted someone to join their team in Canada writing a newsletter, and I got in there in 2005. I was writing articles on sales volumes.

    I was a senior specifications researcher, which is right down to how many cupholders a car has, and I realized I was interested in product management.”

    Leynaert was hired into his current role in 2016 after a mentor moved to Jaguar Land Rover.

    An average day involves analyzing sales data and market trends, including forecasting upcoming electric vehicles, “and finding white space and something to fit into those areas.”

    “We’re working three to four years out, dealing with [Jaguar Land Rover in the U.K.] to ensure we’re aligned. Anybody can learn anything, but you can’t fake automotive passion, and that’s why I do this.”

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    THE UNOBVIOUS ONES: Using retail experience to connect with retailers
    Recommended for You
    Dec Unobvious Ones
    THE UNOBVIOUS ONES: Using retail experience to connect with retailers
    Nov Unobvious
    THE UNOBVIOUS ONES: Charting the car buyer’s online journey
    Blurred-photo-new-red-car-parked-in-showroom-car-dealership-office (1)
    Sponsored Content: Seizing opportunities for process automation in dealerships
    Digital Edition
    Jan 2023 Issue
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • 2022 Diversity Champions
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
      • EVs Decoded
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS