GM Creates New Autonomous Vehicle Development Team

General Motors is quickly preparing for the future of driverless cars. Not only will it launch its “Super Cruise” semi-autonomous driving technology for Cadillac next year, but it has also entered the car-sharing business that will likely prove key to the rollout of driverless vehicles. Now, GM is building a dedicated team to manage its autonomous car strategy.

According to The Detroit News, GM announced internally that it will create the Autonomous and Technology Vehicle Development Team. The group will work within the company’s product development division to “create the future direction of GM vehicle programs in the autonomous and technologically advanced vehicle space.”

Doug Parks, current vice president of Global Product Programs, will lead the new team starting February 1. In his new role, he will serve as vice president of autonomous technology and vehicle execution. Other members will include executives drawn from the EV space, including Pam Fletcher, current executive chief engineer of Global Electric Vehicles, and Andrew Farah, chief engineer of Global Electrified Vehicles. Scott Miller, current director of global C02 strategy, and Sheri Hickok, current chief engineer of GM’s Next-Generation Light Duty Pickup, will also join the team.

The team will focus on both the creation and implementation of autonomous cars and their related technologies. It will also be tasked with forming partnerships and joint ventures with other companies when it comes to driverless cars.

“We see the future of personal mobility as connected, seamless and autonomous,” GM President Dan Ammann said earlier this month when the company announced it would partner with Lyft to create a network of autonomous cars for hire. On that note, GM has also created its own personal mobility brand, Maven, that is expected to eventually include an autonomous ride-sharing strategy.

Source: The Detroit News

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