General Motors’ Cruise autonomous vehicle unit has announced the appointment of Marc Whitten as its new CEO. Whitten, who has an impressive background in technology and business, is set to lead Cruise at a crucial time as the company works on testing and relaunching its autonomous vehicles on public roadways.
Marc Whitten brings a wealth of experience to his new role as the CEO of Cruise. Previously, he was a founding engineer at Microsoft’s Xbox and later served as chief product officer at audio company Sonos. He also held a vice president position at Amazon, overseeing entertainment devices and services, before working as chief product and technology officer at Unity’s Create. Whitten’s extensive experience in scaling products and building ecosystems around them makes him a valuable addition to the Cruise team.
Whitten’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for Cruise, especially after an accident involving one of its autonomous vehicles. The incident led to the departure of key leaders, including the former CEO and co-founder. With the launch of new autonomous vehicles on the horizon, Whitten’s leadership will be essential in steering Cruise towards its vision of creating technology that benefits society.
A third-party investigation into the October incident highlighted culture issues, ineptitude, and poor leadership within Cruise that contributed to oversight failures. While allegations of a cover-up were explored, no evidence was found to support these claims. Cruise is now focused on addressing these issues and regaining public trust as it resumes operations in various cities, including Phoenix, Houston, and Dallas. However, ongoing investigations in San Francisco are still pending.
In addition to Marc Whitten’s appointment, GM announced other executive changes at Cruise. Nick Mulholland, previously with Rivian, will be the new chief marketing and communications officer, while Craig Glidden, GM’s former legal chief, will join Cruise as president and chief administrative officer. These changes demonstrate GM’s commitment to strengthening Cruise’s leadership team as the company works towards doubling revenue by the end of the decade.
With Marc Whitten at the helm, GM’s Cruise is poised for a new chapter of growth and innovation in the autonomous vehicle industry. Whitten’s proven track record in technology and business, coupled with the support of a revamped executive team, signals a promising future for Cruise as it navigates challenges and drives towards its vision of safer, more efficient transportation solutions.
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