International Courant
Normal Motors Govt Vice President International Manufacturing and Labor Relations Gerald Johnson (middle) watches as engineers and technicians arrange and check the machines that will likely be used to supply Degree 1 face masks at a manufacturing unit in Warren, Michigan.
Picture by John F. Martin for Normal Motors
DETROIT – Normal engines’ The pinnacle of manufacturing is retiring and the corporate has employed a former head Tesla And Googling director to fill his footwear.
The Detroit automaker mentioned Tuesday that Gerald Johnson, govt vp of International Manufacturing and Sustainability, will move the baton to Jens Peter “JP” Clausen, a former govt at Tesla, Lego and, most not too long ago, Google.
Johnson’s departure is not surprising after a 44-year tenure on the automaker, however GM additionally introduced a extra shocking departure Tuesday: that of Mike Abbott, govt vp of software program and providers.
GM mentioned Abbott, a former Apple govt who began on the automaker in Might, will resign on account of well being causes.
In a LinkedIn message, Abbott mentioned since late final yr that he has been “going through numerous critical well being points involving my coronary heart that haven’t improved.” He continued, “As a father and husband, I need to prioritize my restoration and be with my household in hopes that my well being will enhance over time.”
Baris Cetinok, present vp of Product in Software program and Companies, has been named Abbott’s interim substitute whereas a search is performed. Cetinok, additionally one former Apple CEObegan with GM in September.
The adjustments take impact April 2, however GM mentioned Johnson will stay with the automaker for the remainder of the yr.
Clausen’s hiring is especially notable as GM and different automakers attempt to match or surpass Tesla in producing batteries and powertrains for electrical automobiles.
Clausen labored at toymaker Lego for nearly fourteen years, then joined Tesla throughout a interval of intensive development and turmoil on the firm, from 2015 to 2019.
Reporting to CEO Elon Musk and former CTO JB Straubel, Clausen was vp of Tesla’s first battery manufacturing unit, often called the Nevada Gigafactory, exterior Reno.
Clausen led a speedy enlargement of that manufacturing unit and earlier than his departure had been tasked with discovering methods for Tesla to scale back the quantity of scrap and waste the manufacturing unit produced because the EV maker grew from a distinct segment participant to a mass-market automotive firm.
When Clausen joined Tesla, the now American EV chief was producing its higher-end sedan, the Mannequin S, and its Falcon Wing Mannequin X SUV. By the point he left, the corporate had begun mass manufacturing and supply of its entry-level Mannequin 3 sedan, which stays essentially the most accessible electrical automotive.
After his tenure at Tesla, Clausen labored at Zymergen, an artificial biology firm funded by Softbank and later acquired by a significant competitor, Gingko Bioworks. Following the merger, Clausen transitioned to a task at Google as vp of engineering for the corporate’s Information Heart Superior Know-how Innovation group, the place he labored on environmentally accountable cooling options for knowledge facilities, amongst different sustainable development initiatives.
Clausen’s final day at Google will likely be March 29, an organization spokesperson mentioned in an e-mail.
Clausen is just not the one ex-Tesla govt to hitch GM. The corporate’s board members embrace Jon McNeill, Tesla’s former president of International Gross sales and Service, and the corporate not too long ago employed Kurt Kelty, who led Tesla battery growth for 11 years, as vp of batteries.
GM hires ex-Tesla, Google govt, to guide manufacturing
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