GM Restructures Global Engineering Operations

General Motors Co. has reorganized its global vehicle engineering structure to encourage more cross-system integration.

The change eliminates the position of vice president of global vehicle engineering. John Calabrese, who has held that position since 2011, will remain with the company through August before retiring after 33 years with GM.

Under the new structure, Calabrese's responsibilities will be handled by two new organizations: Global Product Integrity and Global Vehicle Components and Subsystems.

Ken Morris, currently executive vice president of global chassis engineering, will head the product integrity unit. His group will handle vehicle, powertrain and electrical systems engineering, vehicle performance, industrial engineering and validation. Jeff Boyer, who was named earlier this month to the new position of head of global vehicle safety, will report to Morris.

Ken Kelzer, currently vice president of GM Europe powertrain engineering, will become vice president of the new components and subsystems group. His team will oversee engineering operations, components development, advanced vehicle development and "engineering business" initiatives.

Morris, who holds a bachelor's degree in science from Purdue University, joined GM in 1989 as a brake systems engineer. Kelzer has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in business from the University of Michigan. His GM career began in 1982.