Pam Fletcher will be a direct report to CEO Mary Barra.
UPDATED: 21-9-2015 15:53 ET
DETROIT – General Motors is restructuring the leadership of its global strategy and electrified vehicle units, while in 2023 it will deploy at least 20 battery-electric and fuel cell-powered vehicles worldwide.
With effect from 1 October, Pam Fletcher, vice president of Global Electric Vehicle Programs, has been appointed as a member of the newly created position of vice president, innovation.
Fletcher, 52, will be a direct report to CEO Mary Barra, reflecting GM's goal of transforming itself as a company that wants to capitalize on new opportunities and is less obsessed with traditional performance measures such as sales volume and market share.
She previously reported to Doug Parks, vice president of Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs.
Fletcher, who was appointed in her current position almost a year ago, will be responsible for "identifying, integrating and accelerating business opportunities that simplify the lives of our customers and provide long-term value to our shareholders," said an internal memo by Automotive News.
Parks, 57, said in an e-mail statement to Automotive News that Fletcher's new role will utilize its technical and entrepreneurial background.
The role of Parks will be expanded with the EV responsibilities of Fletcher, according to the Monday memo by Barra and Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM & # 39; s Global Product Group.
Michael Ableson, GM vice-president of Global Strategy, will move to the newly created position of vice president, infrastructure for electric vehicles, with effect from 1 October.
Ableson will report to Parks. His previous Global Strategy team will report to Fletcher.
According to the memo, Ableson will be responsible for "developing the partnerships, incentives and investments needed to create the necessary charging infrastructure for electric vehicles that will eliminate a critical barrier to acceptance of electrification."
EV charging infrastructure is a major problem for the global automotive industry, because car manufacturers promise to bring EVs to the masses.
Barra has said that the company will cooperate, stimulate or invest to ensure that charging infrastructure is available; however, no fixed plans have been announced.