GM Appoints Steve Hill as President of GM China to Drive Electrification Efforts

General Motors (GM) has announced the appointment of Steve Hill as the new Executive Vice President and President of GM China, with the aim of accelerating the electrification of the company's models in the country. Effective June 1, Hill will succeed Julian Blissett, who has decided to retire, according to GM China.

Hill brings extensive experience to his new role, having held leadership positions at GM in global marketing, sales, and aftersales. Previously, he served as VP of US sales, services, and marketing, as well as Global VP of customer care and aftersales, as highlighted by the Detroit-based company.

Rory Harvey, Executive VP and President of GM, expressed confidence in Hill's ability to leverage his deep commercial insight and customer-centric approach to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the rapid electrification of GM's portfolio in China and the implementation of new technologies.

Julian Blissett, who began his career at GM in 1996, led GM China through a period of significant growth and change in the domestic sector. He successfully navigated the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and made substantial contributions to the company's success in the Chinese market, as emphasized by GM.

GM maintains two joint ventures with SAIC Motor in China. SAIC-GM operates under the Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac brands, while SAIC-GM-Wuling manages the Baojun and Wuling brands. Despite a decline in market share from 15 percent in 2015 to 8.6 percent last year, GM remains committed to China, which serves as a significant source of global profits.

In line with market demand, GM is prioritizing the development of new energy vehicles, including electric and plug-in hybrid autos, as mentioned by Chief Executive Mary Barra at the recent Beijing Auto Show. The company has introduced several new models in China, such as the popular Buick GL8 PHEV and Chevrolet Equinox crossover, demonstrating its dedication to meeting evolving customer needs.