General Motors has hired former Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby to head up international operations. He replaces Tim Lee, who will take up the position of chairman, GM China.
Jacoby, who also headed up Volkswagen in the US, will lead GM’s operations in more than 100 markets in Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
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Jacoby left his job at Volvo after suffering a mild stroke. Now fully recovered, his 30 year career also includes a period at the head of Mitsubishi’s European operations between 2001 and 2004. Before that he was head of VW’s Asia Pacific unit.
He will report directly to GM chairman Dan Akerson and takes up the new position on Monday (5 August).
Jacoby cited GM’s customer focus and momentum as two reasons he is joining the company.
“The GM team has plans to win in every market, and I’m eager to contribute,” he said.
GM said in a statement that Lee will remain head of global manufacturing.
Akerson said: “GM leads in the US and China, the two most important auto markets in the world. We are also in the midst of the most aggressive product rollout in our history. [Lee] is critical to building on our success in China and to ensuring flawless vehicle launches around the globe.”
