General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) today announced two key executive appointments in conjunction with the consolidation of its North American Car and Truck Groups. These appointments are effective January 1, 2001.
Thomas J. Davis will become Group Vice President – Product Development. In this role, Davis will have responsibility for the Vehicle Line Executive teams, Engineering and Design. Currently, Davis is Group Vice President – Truck Group and Engineering.
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Gary L. Cowger will become Group Vice President – Manufacturing and Labor Relations. In this role, Cowger will have responsibility for all manufacturing operations, assembly facilities, Metal Fabricating Division and Labor Relations. Currently, Cowger is Group Vice President – Labor Relations.
In their new positions, Davis and Cowger report to Ronald L. Zarrella, Executive Vice President and President, GM North America.
Until January, Donald E. Hackworth, Senior Vice President – North America Car Group and Manufacturing, will continue to lead these activities, while Davis will continue to oversee the Truck Group and Engineering.
In making the announcement, Zarrella said, “We have every intent to be clearly recognized as the industry’s product innovation leader. The new integrated Product Development and Manufacturing and Labor organizations will provide more intense focus and urgency to get the product concepts we are now creating into the hands of our current and future customers even faster.” Zarrella cited this week’s production announcement of the Chevrolet SSR sports roadster, which was just a clay model less than a year ago, but will now be in production by 2002, as an example of “the speed and passion you’re going to see more of from GM.”
In addition to the above, Hackworth, Davis and Cowger will continue in their roles as Global Process Leader(s) for their respective organizations. All three report to GM President and CEO G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., in these roles and continue as members of GM’s Automotive Strategy Board, which has the responsibility for directing the company’s global automotive operations.
