Two months following their promotions to senior vice president positions within the group, former Apple Inc. executives David Richardson and Baris Cetinok made several strategic moves.
General Motors Co. is set to reduce its workforce by over 1,000 software engineers as part of a strategic restructuring of its software and services division. Over 600 of these layoffs are expected to occur in Michigan. This decision follows the promotions of former Apple Inc. executives David Richardson and Baris Cetinok to senior vice president roles within the group, which took place two months prior.
In a statement released on Monday, GM outlined its strategy, stating that building GM’s future would require simplification for speed and excellence, making bold choices, and prioritizing investments that will have the greatest impact. The company, however, did not disclose the exact number of employees affected by these cuts and declined to comment on how these reductions will impact its overall software engineering workforce.
GM’s commitment to enhancing in-car software is evident in its ongoing development, which now governs a more extensive range of vehicle systems. This includes everything from battery management and driving dynamics to multimedia displays, particularly in its latest electric vehicle models. Over the past few years, GM has aggressively expanded its software development team as part of its broader initiative into electric and autonomous vehicles, as well as software-centric services.
The automaker has been optimistic that new offerings, such as linking customers to charging stations and digital content, alongside ventures into other non-automotive sectors, could potentially generate billions in additional annual revenue. However, the transition towards new software has not been without challenges. GM temporarily halted sales of its Chevrolet Blazer electric SUV due to software issues and faced similar problems with its Cadillac Lyriq EV. Further complications arose when GM attempted to replace Apple’s CarPlay with its proprietary in-vehicle infotainment system in the Blazer, leading to consumer backlash and issues with the vehicle’s interior content display, among other technological difficulties.
