GM Overhauls Product Development Structure

General Motors Co. is consolidating global responsibility for each vehicle line under its chief engineer, thus eliminating a layer of management.

Previously, every program was run by a vehicle line executive (VLE), vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer. They reported to a group VLE who oversaw several vehicle lines.

GM says the new structure, which takes effect on Aug. 1, will drop all but the chief engineer jobs, thus cutting about 20 executive positions. The occupants of those jobs will retire or be reassigned, according to the company.

GM also has named Doug Parks to the newly created job of vice president for product programs. Parks, who is currently group VLE for electric cars, will report to Mary Barra, senior vice president of global product development. The newly renamed executive chief engineers will report to Parks.

CEO Dan Akerson is pushing the company's executives to streamline their operations. GM revamped its global manufacturing organization last week.