Mexican Media Brands
GM’s Ammann Leaving to Head Cruise Affiliate
Dan Ammann is leaving as president of General Motors Co. to take over as CEO of Cruise, the California autonomous startup GM bought in 2016 for about $1 billion, on Jan. 1.
Share
Dan Ammann is leaving as president of General Motors Co. to take over as CEO of Cruise, the California autonomous startup GM bought in 2016 for about $1 billion, on Jan. 1.
Ammann’s departure means that GM Finance and the carmaker’s global regional operations will report directly to GM CEO Mary Barra, according to the carmaker. Dhivya Suryadevara will absorb responsibility for corporate development.
Ammann succeeds Cruise founder and CEO Kyle Vogt, who will remain as president and chief technology officer of the San Francisco-based company. The two men have worked closely to expand Cruise since Ammann led the GM team that acquired it.
Cruise develops operating software for autonomous vehicles. The company has expanded from 40 employees two years ago to about 1,200 and currently has a market valuation of $14.6 billion. The startup attracted a $2.3 billion investment in May from Japan’s SoftBank Vision Fund.
Under the new management team, Ammann will focus on scaling up and commercializing the business, while Vogt concentrates on the technical aspects of Cruise operations. GM has said it intends to launch a ride-hailing service in 2019 that will use a fleet of automated self-driving vehicles.
Analysts predict that Cruise eventually will separate from GM through an initial public offering or special stock listing.
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Automotive: An All Electric Edition
A look at electric vehicle-related developments, from new products to recycling old batteries.
-
Ford Copies Nature
As Nature (yes, capital N Nature) has done a pretty good job of designing things, it is somewhat surprising that Man (ditto) doesn’t follow Nature’s lead more often when it comes to designing objects.
-
Mustang Changes for 2018
On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.
