GM Appoints Sterling Anderson to Lead Global Product Strategy Across EV and Gas Vehicles

General Motors has made a strategic leadership appointment by naming Sterling Anderson as the new Vice President of Global Product and Chief Product Officer. This newly created role places Anderson at the helm of GM’s entire product portfolio, encompassing both gas-powered and electric vehicles. His responsibilities will span the full product lifecycle, including hardware, software, services, and user experience, reflecting GM’s holistic approach to vehicle innovation.

Anderson will report directly to GM President Mark Reuss and will be based at the Mountain View Tech Center in California. His appointment follows his recent resignation from Aurora, the autonomous vehicle startup he co-founded, where he served as Chief Product Officer. Anderson’s move to GM underscores the automaker’s commitment to integrating advanced software and hardware capabilities to enhance vehicle safety, efficiency, and customer experience.

Under Anderson’s leadership, key departments including vehicle and manufacturing engineering, battery technology, software and services product management, and safety will be unified. Notably, Kurt Kelty, who leads battery, propulsion, and sustainability efforts, will report to Anderson, along with heads of global manufacturing, product engineering, and vehicle product programs. This structure aims to foster tighter integration between software and hardware, enabling shorter development cycles and more seamless customer experiences.

GM President Mark Reuss emphasized that customers expect more from vehicles than ever before. Anderson’s extensive background in automotive engineering and software innovation positions him to lead GM’s evolution toward software-defined vehicles that deliver continuous updates and enhanced services throughout their lifecycle. This approach aligns with CEO Mary Barra’s vision of rapid iteration and electrification across GM’s portfolio.

Sterling Anderson’s career includes directing Tesla’s Autopilot program before co-founding Aurora with other autonomous vehicle pioneers. His academic credentials include a master’s and PhD in robotics from MIT, underscoring his deep expertise in advanced vehicle technologies. Anderson’s transition to GM signals a significant step in the automaker’s strategy to lead in electrification and autonomous vehicle innovation by leveraging integrated software and hardware development.

Looking ahead, Anderson plans to immerse himself in understanding GM’s culture and products deeply before initiating major changes. However, his focus areas align closely with GM’s current trajectory toward rapid innovation, software-defined platforms, and enhanced customer experiences. His leadership is expected to accelerate GM’s transformation in the competitive automotive landscape, delivering safer, smarter, and more connected vehicles to millions worldwide.