August 28, 2024 – According to sources quoted by Bloomberg, General Motors’ software services division has hired a former Apple executive, Tim Twerdahl, who will take on the role of Vice President of Product Management.
As General Motors continues to bolster the leadership team of its emerging software division, it seems to have a preference for attracting former Apple executives. This move comes as the automaker pursues cost-cutting and efficiency-boosting measures, including reducing management layers within the company.
Tim Twerdahl, during his tenure at Apple, served as Vice President of Home and Audio Products, overseeing devices like AirPods and Apple TV. He later worked as the Chief Product Officer at Juno, a sustainable architecture design company.
Reports indicate that General Motors is actively recruiting talent from Silicon Valley technology companies to support its advancements in software services, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles. The automaker recognizes the importance of bringing in experts from the software industry to compete in the vehicle software market against rivals like Tesla and Chinese automakers.
Interestingly, despite strengthening its software division with new hires, General Motors plans to lay off over 1,000 employees from the same department. This is part of an effort to eliminate bureaucratic layers that may hinder software development speed. However, the company’s journey towards electric and intelligent vehicles is not without challenges. Earlier this year, General Motors halted sales of the Chevy Blazer electric SUV and faced software-related issues in its Cadillac Lyriq electric car.
