NEW YORK — Deloitte has moved one of its longtime executives Craig Giffi into a new position. Giffi now will be the leader of the company's U.S. automotive practice, effective immediately.

Company officials indicated that Giffi succeeds Michelle Collins, who leads Deloitte's audit practice in Michigan.

In his new role, Deloitte explained that Giffi will be responsible for providing deep auto sector expertise to Deloitte client teams. However, Giffi will continue to serve in a pair of roles he currently holds. Those positions are as Deloitte's vice chairman and national industry leader for consumer and industrial products and chairman of the global manufacturing industry practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

"The automotive industry has become its own ecosystem, with a convergence of industries from technology to retail to energy to the government," Giffi explained.

"I am committed to expanding the value around our role as an industry leader by helping our clients' ever evolving relationships in the automotive value chain," he continued.

Deloitte also highlighted that Giffi has served in a variety of leadership and strategic client service roles during his 19 years with the company, including global managing director of strategic client relationships with DTT. He also is a trustee of The Manufacturing Institute and has been the strategic leader of Deloitte's ongoing effort on global competitiveness, working closely with the Council on Competitiveness.

Giffi joined Deloitte in 1983 from Eaton Corp.

"The automotive industry continues to be an integral part of the American economy and Craig Giffi offers the knowledge and experience vital to serving clients operating in such a nationally important, high profile space," noted Bill Freda, Deloitte's vice chairman and U.S. managing partner for clients and markets.

"Craig has distinguished himself throughout his career with his focus on excellent client service," Freda went on to say.

"He has extensive experience with manufacturing clients, and his many relationships in the automotive sector will be an asset to our clients and Deloitte's automotive practice," Freda concluded.