Speaking in New York ahead of the auto show, General Motors CEO Mary Barra has announced the formation of a new unit within the global product development area to be tasked with safety performance.
Barra said that the new ‘Global Product Integrity’ will sit within the Global Product Development function and build on the formula and specific actions GM has taken in recent years to “lead the industry in vehicle dynamics”.
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“We will mirror this approach to focus on safety performance,” she said.
“Our goal is to ensure the highest levels of execution consistently across all our vehicles.”
The new organisation will report directly to Mark Reuss, who leads Global Product Development, and include Jeff Boyer’s new safety organisation.
“This new way of developing vehicles will provide the highest levels of safety, quality, and customer service… and ensure that a situation like the ignition-switch recall doesn’t happen again,” Barra said.
Speaking at the NADA/JD Power Automotive Forum in New York, Barra also spoke of changing GM’s culture.
“Our focus is no longer on survival,” she maintained. “We are more focused on quality and doing what is right for the customer than at any time in my 33 years with the company.
“A prime focus right now for me and a core group of people is on taking care of the customers involved in the ignition switch recall and getting their cars fixed as soon as possible.
“Every interaction with our customers, whether in sales or service, is a part of building a long-term relationship. That’s the mindset we’re using to approach this situation – and I’m proud of the way the GM team has responded.
“We know the world is watching and will judge us by our actions.”
