Latest GM shakeup shuffles execs in product planning, development

General Motors Co. has reassigned dozens of product development executives and appointed new heads of global product planning, powertrain engineering and quality in its latest departmental shakeup.

Responsibility for global product planning moves to CEO Ed Whitacre from Vice Chairman Tom Stephens. Stephens retains control of product development, including design, engineering and purchasing.

GM announced the changes Friday in a memo to employees obtained by Automotive News. Spokeswomen Sharon Basel and Katie McBride verified the memo's authenticity and said the moves didn't involve any employees leaving the company. The shakeup follows major changes in sales and marketing in March.

As part of Friday's changes, Steve Carlisle has become vice president of global product planning, reporting to Whitacre. Carlisle, who had previously served in product planning outside the United States and in GM's truck group, had been vice president of U.S. sales operations since March.

He replaces Jon Lauckner, who had led product planning since August. GM said earlier Friday that Lauckner would head its new venture capital unit, reporting to Vice Chairman Steve Girsky.

Carlisle's role in sales has gone to Don Johnson, who will report to Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.

Dan Hancock, GM's vice president of global powertrain engineering since 2005, has moved into the newly created position of vice president of global strategic product alliances. He will focus on joint ventures and report to Stephens, who heads global product operations.

Jamie Hresko has replaced Hancock and will report to Stephens. Hresko, an electrical engineer by training, had been vice president of global quality since September 2008 and held a variety of manufacturing positions before that.

Dan Nicholson, formerly executive director of electronic integration and software, has replaced Hresko. He will report to Stephens.

By Chrissie Thompson- Automotive News