General Motors has appointed Sterling Anderson as its new chief product officer, a strategic hire that underscores the automaker’s commitment to innovation across both electric and traditional gas-powered vehicles. Anderson, who co-founded autonomous driving company Aurora Innovation and previously held key roles at Tesla, will begin his new position on June 2, reporting directly to GM President Mark Reuss.
This newly established role places Anderson in charge of the entire product lifecycle, spanning hardware, software, services, and user experience for all GM vehicles. His dual expertise in advanced automotive engineering and cutting-edge software makes him a significant addition to the company’s leadership team.
Anderson’s career includes pivotal roles at Tesla, where he oversaw development for the Model X SUV and led the team behind Autopilot, the automaker’s well-known driver-assistance system. In 2017, he left Tesla to co-found Aurora, an autonomous technology firm that recently began operating a commercial self-driving truck service in Texas. His departure from Aurora, effective June 1, was confirmed in a regulatory filing last week.
His arrival at GM marks another addition to a growing roster of former Tesla talent within the Detroit-based company. Other recent hires include Kurt Kelty, brought on to lead battery development, and board member Jon McNeill. Jens Peter “JP” Clausen, another former Tesla figure, also briefly contributed to GM’s manufacturing initiatives before his departure.
General Motors is navigating a complex transition as it simultaneously rolls out electric vehicles while maintaining its gasoline-powered offerings. The company is also continuing to develop its Super Cruise advanced driver-assistance system in an effort to compete with Tesla and newer automakers entering the market, particularly from China.
In a statement, GM President Mark Reuss described Anderson as a leader with “decades of experience in automotive engineering and transformative software innovation,” emphasizing his alignment with GM’s future vision. CEO and Chair Mary Barra echoed that sentiment, expressing confidence that Anderson will help “accelerate the pace of progress” in delivering high-performance, technologically advanced vehicles.
Anderson’s blend of technical knowledge and industry leadership is expected to play a key role as GM continues its transformation into a more technology-driven automaker, aiming to lead in a competitive global automotive landscape.
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