New GM Executive Shakeup

The changes within GM’s management seem to be unstoppable, as the carmaker announced a new series of changes and switches, this time in its global product planning, powertrain engineering and quality departments. The changes, not yet officialy announced, are featured in an internal memo made public by Autonews.

The first major move was the passing of global product planning from CEO Ed Whitacre to vice chairman Tom Stephens, who will also continue to be responsible for product development.

In addition, Steve Carlisle replaces Jon Lauckner and is the new vice president of global product planning. Lauckner will in turn move over to the new venture capital unit announced by GM late last week.

Carlisle's empty spot will be filled Don Johnson, while Dan Hancock, vice president of global powertrain engineering will become vice president of global strategic product alliances.

Hancock will be replaced by Jamie Hresko former vice president of global Dan Nicholson, former executive director of electronic integration and software, will replace Hresko.

According to GM, the new changes in management are meant to simplify the product-development process, after the same goal has been achieved by the massive sales shakeup from the beginning of the year.

Currently, a new GM vehicle is being reviewed several times by GM's Global Product Development Council. The moves announced in the memo will simplify what GM considers to be a lenghty process, and make “lower-tier executives accountable for decision-making", as GM spokeswoman Katie McBride told Autonews.