GM Organizational Changes
GM to Speed Global Product Development
Leadership Responsibilities Realigned, Expanded to Focus on Continued Growth
DETROIT, March 1 -- General Motors Corp. today announced significant
organizational and leadership changes designed to enhance and accelerate GM's
global product development.
Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced the changes, which took effect
today.
'GM's future success in the global automotive marketplace will depend
heavily on our ability to fully leverage our broad and deep resources,
especially in the critical area of product development,' Wagoner said. 'In
support of that, we are realigning and expanding some key executive
responsibilities to allow us to continue to capitalize on the significant
growth opportunities that we see around the world.
'These changes will accelerate our efforts to get more great cars and
trucks to market faster, to provide more value to our customers and to
increase our global sales.'
Wagoner announced the following leadership moves:
John Smith is named to the new position of group vice president of global
product planning. Smith has been group vice president of GM North America
Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. He will be responsible for the global
product portfolio plan and advanced vehicle development activities, and report
to Bob Lutz, vice chairman of global product development, and chairman of
GMNA.
Jim Queen is named to the new position of GM vice president of global
engineering. Queen, who has been GM vice president of GMNA engineering, will
be responsible for the accelerated globalization of GM's engineering
organization. He will continue to report to Lutz.
Ed Welburn is named to the new position of GM vice president of global
design and will be responsible for the leadership and global integration of
all product design initiatives. Welburn's previous title was GMNA vice
president of design. He will retain responsibility for North America design,
and will continue to report to Lutz.
Mark LaNeve succeeds Smith as GMNA vice president of vehicle sales,
service and marketing. LaNeve will report to GMNA President Gary Cowger.
LaNeve has been GMNA vice president of marketing and advertising.
Brent Dewar succeeds LaNeve as GMNA vice president of marketing and
advertising and will report to LaNeve. Dewar has been divisional marketing
general manager of Chevrolet; his replacement will be announced later.
Larry Burns' title changes to GM vice president of research & development
and strategic planning. This reflects Burns' increased focus on GM's global
R&D initiatives, including fuel cell activities. He continues to report to
Wagoner.
Bo Andersson, whose title changes to GM vice president of global
purchasing and supply chain, will increase his focus on global purchasing and
supplier activities while supporting Queen in the globalization of GM's
engineering organization. In a related move, James Bovenzi becomes GMNA vice
president of purchasing. Bovenzi has been executive director of program
purchasing management. He will report jointly to Andersson and Cowger.
Ed Koerner succeeds Queen as GMNA vice president of engineering. Koerner
has been GM Powertrain vice president of engineering operations. He will
report to Queen and Cowger. Daniel Hancock will replace Koerner at GM
Powertrain and report to Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Powertrain.
Hancock has been CEO of the Fiat-GM Powertrain joint venture in Turin, Italy.
Greg Deveson becomes CEO of the Fiat-GM Powertrain joint venture through
its pending dissolution. He has been vice president of manufacturing for the
JV.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been
the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today
employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing
operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In
2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the
second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are
at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found
at http://www.gm.com .
Below, in alphabetical order, are the full names, ages and new titles of
the 11 executives listed in the March 1, 2005, GM news release headlined, 'GM
to Speed Global Product Development.' GMNA stands for GM North America.
Bo I. Andersson, 49, GM vice president of global purchasing and supply
chain.
James P. Bovenzi, 47, GMNA vice president, purchasing.
Lawrence D. Burns, 53, GM vice president, research & development and
strategic planning.
Gregory S. Deveson, 43, CEO, Fiat-GM Powertrain.
W.W. Brent Dewar, 49, GM North America vice president, marketing and
advertising.
Daniel M. Hancock, 54, GM Powertrain vice president, engineering
operations.
Edward C. Koerner, 55, GM North America vice president, engineering.
Mark R. LaNeve, 45, GMNA vice president, vehicle sales, service and
marketing.
James E. Queen, 56, GM vice president, global engineering.
John F. Smith, 54, group vice president, global product planning.
Edward T. Welburn Jr., 54, GM vice president, global design.
SOURCE General Motors Corporation
-0- 03/01/2005 P
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Full biographies for each executive listed above are
available upon request or by going to GM Media Online at http://media.gm.com /
/CONTACT: Brian Akre, GM Executive Communications & Corporate News
Relations, +1-313-665-3159, mobile: +1-313-378-8697, brian.akre@gm.com , or
Geri Lama, GM Corporate News Relations, +1-313-665-9973, geri.lama@gm.com /
/Web site: http://media.gm.com
http://www.gm.com /
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