General Motors is fed up with its worsening safety reputation, and CEO Mary Barra has taken the first step toward improvement by appointing Jeff Boyer in the newly created role of Vice President of Global Vehicle Safety, effective immediately. Boyer will act as the leader of safety within the automaker, and according to GM's announcement, his priority will be to "quickly identify and resolve product safety issues."
The release claims that Boyer's duties include providing "regular and frequent updates on vehicle safety" to Barra. He will coordinate post-sale safety and will be in charge any future recalls. In addition to insuring that safety problems don't creep up, his job puts him in charge of developing safety tech for GM and working with executive management to make sure safety problems are solved. "If there are any obstacles in his way, Jeff has the authority to clear them. If he needs any additional resources, he will get them," said Barra in the statement.
Boyer has been with GM in engineering and safety positions since 1974. He is being promoted from Executive Director of Engineering Operations and Systems Development, a title he has held since 2011.
The news comes amid GM being mired in safety problems, including over a million compact cars affected with faulty ignition switches. The company faces a possible $35 million fine if it is found to have delayed the recall, and the US House Energy and Commerce Committee is investigating the timeline as well. The entire announcement of Boyer's position can be read below, along with the video that Barra released yesterday where she admits something went wrong with the automaker's safety protocol.
The release claims that Boyer's duties include providing "regular and frequent updates on vehicle safety" to Barra. He will coordinate post-sale safety and will be in charge any future recalls. In addition to insuring that safety problems don't creep up, his job puts him in charge of developing safety tech for GM and working with executive management to make sure safety problems are solved. "If there are any obstacles in his way, Jeff has the authority to clear them. If he needs any additional resources, he will get them," said Barra in the statement.
Boyer has been with GM in engineering and safety positions since 1974. He is being promoted from Executive Director of Engineering Operations and Systems Development, a title he has held since 2011.
The news comes amid GM being mired in safety problems, including over a million compact cars affected with faulty ignition switches. The company faces a possible $35 million fine if it is found to have delayed the recall, and the US House Energy and Commerce Committee is investigating the timeline as well. The entire announcement of Boyer's position can be read below, along with the video that Barra released yesterday where she admits something went wrong with the automaker's safety protocol.
The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.
GM Announces New Vehicle Safety Chief
Jeff Boyer named Vice President, Global Vehicle Safety
2014-03-18
DETROIT – General Motors CEO Mary Barra today named a new vehicle safety leader whose first priority will be to quickly identify and resolve product safety issues.
Jeff Boyer, has been named to the newly created position of Vice President, Global Vehicle Safety, effective immediately. Boyer, who has spent nearly 40 years in a wide range of engineering and safety positions at GM, will have global responsibility for the safety development of GM vehicle systems, confirmation and validation of safety performance, as well as post-sale safety activities, including recalls.
Boyer will provide regular and frequent updates on vehicle safety to Barra, senior management and the GM Board of Directors.
"Jeff's appointment provides direct and ongoing access to GM leadership and the Board of Directors on critical customer safety issues," said Barra. "This new role elevates and integrates our safety process under a single leader so we can set a new standard for customer safety with more rigorous accountability. If there are any obstacles in his way, Jeff has the authority to clear them. If he needs any additional resources, he will get them."
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers in the vehicles they drive," said Boyer. "Today's GM is committed to this, and I'm ready to take on this assignment."
Boyer, 58, will report to John Calabrese, Vice President of Global Vehicle Engineering and become a member of Global Product Development staff, led by Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.
Boyer began his GM career in 1974, as a co-op student and has held several senior engineering, safety and process leadership positions, including the role of a total vehicle integration engineer. His most recent position since 2011 was Executive Director of Engineering Operations and Systems Development. Before that, Boyer served as Executive Director of Global Interior Engineering and Safety Performance where he was responsible for the performance and certification of GM vehicle safety and crashworthiness. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University and a Masters of Business Administration from Michigan State University.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com
Jeff Boyer named Vice President, Global Vehicle Safety
2014-03-18
DETROIT – General Motors CEO Mary Barra today named a new vehicle safety leader whose first priority will be to quickly identify and resolve product safety issues.
Jeff Boyer, has been named to the newly created position of Vice President, Global Vehicle Safety, effective immediately. Boyer, who has spent nearly 40 years in a wide range of engineering and safety positions at GM, will have global responsibility for the safety development of GM vehicle systems, confirmation and validation of safety performance, as well as post-sale safety activities, including recalls.
Boyer will provide regular and frequent updates on vehicle safety to Barra, senior management and the GM Board of Directors.
"Jeff's appointment provides direct and ongoing access to GM leadership and the Board of Directors on critical customer safety issues," said Barra. "This new role elevates and integrates our safety process under a single leader so we can set a new standard for customer safety with more rigorous accountability. If there are any obstacles in his way, Jeff has the authority to clear them. If he needs any additional resources, he will get them."
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers in the vehicles they drive," said Boyer. "Today's GM is committed to this, and I'm ready to take on this assignment."
Boyer, 58, will report to John Calabrese, Vice President of Global Vehicle Engineering and become a member of Global Product Development staff, led by Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.
Boyer began his GM career in 1974, as a co-op student and has held several senior engineering, safety and process leadership positions, including the role of a total vehicle integration engineer. His most recent position since 2011 was Executive Director of Engineering Operations and Systems Development. Before that, Boyer served as Executive Director of Global Interior Engineering and Safety Performance where he was responsible for the performance and certification of GM vehicle safety and crashworthiness. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University and a Masters of Business Administration from Michigan State University.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com
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