José Ignacio López de Arriortúa, the Spanish automotive industry executive known for his work on lean production and procurement at Volkswagen, died on June 10, 2026, at the age of 85.
Born in Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain, on January 18, 1941, he built a career as an engineer and executive with senior posts at Opel, General Motors and Volkswagen. López became widely associated with the so-called “Lopez effect,” a cost-cutting approach that made him a prominent figure in the European car industry.
His career also drew attention in the 1990s when General Motors accused him of taking trade secrets to Volkswagen during a dispute that became known as the Lopez affair.