General Motors (GM) has appointed two former Apple executives to lead its software and services operations, as it steps up its efforts to build electrified, driverless, and connected vehicles. 

General Motors Promotes Two Former Apple Executives

The company appointed Baris Cetinok as senior vice president of product management for software and services and Dave Richardson as senior vice president of services and software engineering. 

This move coincides with GM's efforts to carry out ambitious plans to increase software and service revenue and switch from internal combustion to battery-powered automobiles.

The car manufacturer noted that Cetinok and Richardson have played crucial roles in establishing the vehicle operating and digital systems since they joined in 2023. Their roles include improving validation systems, quality testing, and creating the foundation for software as a vital component of the company's customer experience. 

GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said the new appointments would empower GM to pursue a tech-forward future, highlighting her confidence in the former Apple executives.

Barra also emphasized that with their technical and management experience, they are expected to ensure the strength of GM's software engineering and product divisions. 

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Two Former Apple Executives' New Roles in GM

With his new appointment, Baris Cetinok will be in charged in creating the company's software roadmap and managing the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of software programs.

With over 25 years of product, engineering, and design expertise, Cetinok has worked for businesses like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. While serving as senior director of product management at Apple, he introduced iCloud services like Photos, Drive, and Find My, as well as Apple Pay, Apple Cash, and Apple Card. 

Additionally, Cetinok was a driving force behind the creation of Amazon Payments in AWS and Microsoft Office. On the other hand, Richardson worked for Apple for 12 years as an engineering leader responsible for fostering efficiency and innovation in the infrastructure for products such as FaceTime, Siri, and iCloud. 

He also served as the founding advisor of the online marketplace Dibspace and co-founder and chief scientist of the cloud computing startup Skytap. Richardson, who graduated from the University of Washington with a master's and doctorate in computer science, will lead all of GM's software engineering areas, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), embedded platforms, digital products, ans commercial solutions.

The two men were appointed after former GM software and services executive vice president Mike Abbott stepped down last March due to personal health reasons. Their headquarters will be at the brand-new GM Mountain View Technical Center in California.

"GM's journey toward a tech-forward future is clearer than ever, thanks to the exceptional talent within our team and the leadership of Baris and Dave," Barra said in a press release.

"They bring energy and vision, combined with extensive technical and management experience, that will continue to strengthen our software engineering and product teams. These elevated roles will ensure continuity, speed, and quality as software becomes even more central to the vehicle," she added.

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