General Motors Creates a New ‘Commercial Growth Strategies and Operations' Division, Announces Executive Appointments

author: FutureCar Staff    

U.S. automaker General Motors has created a new organization within the company named "Commercial Growth Strategies and Operations". The new organization will oversee current cross-brand activities that strengthen GM's position in the commercial market. The newly formed group will explore future business opportunities that support GM's revenue growth commitments in the commercial segment.

GM has appointed Steve Hill to lead its new Commercial Growth Strategies and Operations organization. Hill has served as vice president of GM's Chevrolet brand since Nov 2019. At the helm of Chevrolet, Hill oversaw the launch of the mid-engine Corvette C8 and fully-electric Bolt EUV. The next major launch from the Chevrolet brand will be the  highly-anticipated Silverado EV electric pickup.

"The Commercial Growth Strategies and Operations organization is well positioned with this leadership team to drive continued growth and profitability for our dealers and GM, while stewarding our transition to an all-electric future," said Steve Carlisle, GM executive vice president and president of GM North America.

GM's Fleet, U.S. Sales operations and EV retail teams will report to Hill.

GM also announced that Scott Bell, president and managing director of GM Canada, will return to the U.S. and lead the Chevrolet brand, as vice president of Global Chevrolet. 

Under Bell's leadership, GM Canada achieved profitable sales growth and built strong relationships with its Canadian dealer network, GM said. He also led significant investments in Canadian manufacturing operations, including the reopening of Oshawa Assembly and the conversion of Canada's first large-scale EV plant, CAMI Assembly, to produce electric delivery vans for GM's new BrightDrop commercial unit.

GM is also appointing Marissa West, current executive chief engineer of its Global Mid-Size Truck, Medium Duty Truck and Van division, as the new president and managing director of GM Canada. 

For the past three years, West has led the design, engineering and development of several key programs within the GM truck family. Prior to that, she was director, Global Noise and Vibration and Vehicle Dynamics Center after holding various other leadership roles throughout the Global Product Development organization.

"I want to thank Scott and Marissa for their continued commitment and leadership," said Carlisle. "Their extensive experience and track records for success uniquely position them to continue the momentum and growth at Chevrolet and GM Canada."

These new executive leadership appointments take effect April 1, 2022. 

In January, GM announced its was investing more than $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites to build electric vehicles and batteries, which will create 4,000 new jobs as the automaker begins its transitions to becoming an electric automaker. The massive investment will significantly increase GM's production capacity for electric vehicles. 

The $7 billion investment is the single largest investment announcement in GM's 100+ year history. It includes $4 billion to construct a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM's assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup and electric GMC Sierra. 

Production of the Silverado EV and electric Sierra, will begin at Orion in late 2022 or early 2023.

FutureCar Staff