According to an internal memo, GM is moving the engineering team responsible for the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette to the company's electric and autonomous vehicle programs to "push the boundaries" on what its future electric vehicle battery systems and components can. to offer.
The memo, sent by Doug Parks, GM's executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain, announced that the Corvette team would be moving from the automaker's global product team to the electric vehicle program. and autonomous led by Ken Morris. The change will take effect on September 1, according to the memo. The change was first reported by InsideEVs.
"General Motors is committed to an all-electric future. I'm thrilled to put the team that redefined supercar performance, design and reachability in key roles to help us integrate and run our electric vehicles to the same high standards, "Morris said in an emailed statement. .
In the memo, Parks said the move "will help this already dynamic team push the boundaries further on what our future EV battery systems and components can deliver when it comes to excitement and thrilling performance for our customers. The Corvette team is used to delighting customers and critics alike, having launched the mid-engined Corvette with worldwide success and becoming one of the most award-winning cars in automotive history. "
The change won't stop the entire Corvette team. Tadge Juechter will remain Global Corvette's chief executive engineer and will continue to lead the team as new variants hit the market. Corvette's chief engineer, Ed Piatek, will now be the chief engineer of the "future product" and will continue to report to Tadge. Under this new role, Piatek will work across the organization on future EV programs, according to the memo. Josh Holder, who was the head of engineering for the Corvette program, will be promoted to chief engineer for Global Corvette, replacing Piatek.
The organizational change follows a series of announcements and investments from GM in electric vehicles and automated vehicle technology. In January, the automaker said it would invest $ 2.2 billion in its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to produce all-electric trucks and SUVs, as well as a self-driving vehicle unveiled by its subsidiary Cruise. GM will invest an additional $ 800 million in equipment for suppliers and other projects related to the launch of the new electric trucks.
GM will kick off this new program with an all-electric pickup that goes into production at the end of 2021. Cruise Origin, the self-driving electric shuttle designed for ridesharing, will be the second vehicle to go into production in the area of Detroit plant. Last month, GM said it was on track to deliver 20 electric vehicles by 2023, most of which will use the company. new modular EV architecture, called Ultium.
GM is already building a file The nearly 3 million square foot factory that will mass-produce Ultium cells and battery packs, the cornerstone of the company's strategy to bring these electric vehicles to market over the next three years. The Ultium Cells LLC battery cell manufacturing facility in Lordstown, Ohio is part of a joint venture between GM and LG Chem announced in December.