GM Restructuring Its Global Vehicle-Engineering Organization

April 22, 2014

Patrick Ponticel

(Photos by John F. Martin for General Motors)

In part to improve safety performance of its vehicles and to enhance cross-system integration, General Motors is restructuring its global vehicle-engineering organization. It will now consist of two units: Global Product Integrity and Global Vehicle Components and Subsystems.

The Global Product Integrity unit, which is effective immediately, will build on specific actions GM has taken in recent years to improve vehicle dynamics, including ride and handling, steering, and braking. GM is applying the same approach to overall quality and safety performance. The Global Product Integrity unit will use advanced analysis tools and processes to flag and prevent issues during vehicle development while also mining field data to react quickly to safety and product quality issues.

Ken Morris, currently Executive Director, Global Chassis Engineering, has been named Vice President of Global Product Integrity. The newly created role and organization will include vehicle, powertrain, and electrical systems engineering as well as vehicle performance, industrial engineering, and validation. It also includes the recently formed Global Vehicle Safety organization led by Jeff Boyer, who is overseeing the addition of 35 product investigators. Supplier Quality will now become part of Global Product Integrity.

Ken Kelzer (SAE Member, 1985), currently Vice President, GM Europe Powertrain Engineering, has been named Vice President, Global Vehicle Components and Subsystems. His new role and organization includes engineering operations, components development, advanced vehicle development, and other engineering business initiatives.

In a related personnel move, GM Vice President of Global Vehicle Engineering John Calabrese has elected to retire after 33 years with the company. He will stay on through August to help with the transition.