Ernesto M. Hernandez, president and managing director of General Motors Mexico, has announced his retirement after spending nearly 40 years with the Detroit-based automaker.
Hernandez will be replaced by current vice president of sales, service and marketing for GM Mexico, Francisco Garza, who will take over the position from September 1, 2019. Succeeding Garza, who also served as GM vice president of sales, service and marketing for Central America and the Caribbean, will be GM Mexico chief financial officer Juan Carlos Garcia.
Starting his career with GM in 1980, Hernandez has held numerous roles within GM in product engineering, planning, manufacturing, sales, marketing and aftersales both in Mexico and the United States. He has served as president of GM Mexico since 2011 and was the first Mexican national to hold the position.
“Under Ernesto’s leadership, GM started a profound transformation in Mexico, a change that is now consolidating our position as the most important and admired automotive company in the country,” GM executive vice president of the Americas, Barry Engle, said in a statement. “We greatly appreciate Ernesto’s legacy and what he has contributed to GM over his stellar career and almost 40 years of service.
GM Mexico says Hernandez “will remain on as GM advisor and assist in a smooth leadership transition,” for both Garza and Garcia for the time being.
“As our company focuses on streamlining global operations, I see Francisco (Garza) and Juan Carlos (Garcia) as the perfect leaders to continue our transformation in Mexico,” added Engle.
GM Mexico sales were down 19 percent in July, while the automaker has also seen a 6 percent decline in sales through the first seven months of the year. Its most popular model so far this year is the Chevrolet Beat, with 40,687 units sold.
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