General Motors has announced that Mike Abbott, its executive vice president for software and services, will be leaving to care for his health.

Mr Abbott joined GM last May, expanding the Software and Services leadership team by recruiting vice presidents with backgrounds from Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “It’s with great disappointment to share that I’m stepping down from my role at GM. Since late last year, I’ve been facing some serious health issues involving my heart that have not improved.”

GM CEO Mary Barra said: “Mike’s contributions have been invaluable, and I look forward to him remaining part of the GM family as an advisor to me when his health permits. I also have the utmost trust in the strong bench of leaders in place. His recovery is the priority, and we wish him well.”  

Baris Cetinok, current vice president of Product in Software and Services, has been named the interim head of Software and Services while a search is conducted.