Mahmoud Samara Named Vice President Of Cadillac North America
22
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General Motors has named long-time executive Mahmoud Samara as the new vice president of Cadillac North America.
Samara will replace Rory Harvey in the role, who was named vice president of Cadillac global in July. Under his new title, Samara will oversee all Cadillac sales, service and retail marketing efforts in the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to Automotive News, Samara will also be in charge of dealer network development not just in North America, but globally. He will report directly to Harvey in the position.
“As Cadillac stands poised to redefine American luxury, the evolution ofour dealer network will be a critical component to our success,” Harvey said in a prepared statement. “Mahmoud brings a unique combination of experiences that will help us elevate to the next level. He has a proven track record of innovation in every role he has held.”
A 16-year veteran of GM, Samara has held numerous high-ranking roles within the company and most recently served as the managing director of Cadillac Canada. Samara also previously served as GM’s global director of customer experience and has held numerous other executive roles within GM Canada.
As AN points out, Samara moves into the lead role at Cadillac North America during a crucial time. With the launch of the Cadillac Lyriq looming and many other new Cadillac EVs on the way, Samara must ensure the brand’s dealers are well-prepared to begin selling advanced, tech-laden EVs like the Lyriq.
“We have to engage (the dealers) because they are the investors and partners, and they’re going to execute that,” Samara told AN in a recent interview.
“We’ll help them to get ready, but if (selling EVs is) something they have no desire to pursue, that will be their prerogative. Our approach is to make sure we have a plan that fits across our dealer partners. They are a very critical part of it.”
The Cadillac Lyriq will begin arriving at U.S. dealerships in late 2022 and will be followed by a number of other EVs, including another smaller electric crossover and the high-priced Celestiq sedan.
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Wish him nothing but the best. I would be lying if I said I knew he who was within GM prior to this article.
Maybe he can push for a Frunk on the upcoming Lyriq HAHA
Good luck with the dealers….
Cadillac’s peripatetic life continues.
How can dealers have the prerogative if supporting this billion dollar initiative by Cadillac? That’s what GM did with the Chevy Volt and where is it today? I think they are starting off on the wrong foot if they’re looking to sell a $200K car.
the Cadillac Lyriq has an estimated base sticker price of just under 60k. That’s a long way off from your “200K” number. Why are you just throwing out random numbers?
On a separate note its nice to see some youth and diversity making its way up the GM executive ladder. It would be nice to see a little more youth and diversity make its way into the GM Board of Directors.
He’s likely referring to the Celestiq ultra-lux sedan. However, he’s wrong that the Celestiq is the foot Caddy is starting on – it’s the Lyriq.
Yes; good luck Mahmoud.
Maybe he can help restore the once exclusive and prestigious sale and purchase process of buying a Cadillac in Northern California (like Lexus does), where most Cadillac dealerships are shoe-boxed with a Chevy dealer, selling a $50,000 Cadillac next to an ugly little Chevy Spark.
Mr. Samara: What Cadillac needs mostly is a return to the “standards” that made it famous. Cadillac used to be known for its class, luxury, comfort, and interior room for the occupants. That all has gone away. Cadillac is now built for people four feet tall and weighing sixty pounds soaking wet. If you are an American adult, the seats are so narrow and shoulder room so tight it is like driving a small sports car. I had a 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham that was actually built for Americans, not Chinese. As long as Cadillac follows the smaller is better and average is o.k., it will continue to fail. Paying over $60,000.00 for a vehicle that is uncomfortable and so-so just doesn’t fly any more.
Nobody wants a Cadillac to be an all electric brand. Give that to Buick. Let’s restructure the V series as follows. If it doesn’t have a black wing engine it will not get the black wing name. The current V series is a downgrade to the outgoing V-sport. So at a minimum rebrand them as V sport models. The upcoming V series Black-wing should just be called the V-Series. Next we will focus on Luxury and quality. You are a luxury brand stop using plastic and not everyone is supposed to be able to afford a Cadillac and the people who are able to don’t want Plastic everywhere. (I.E. XT4, XT5 and XT6) Take the bottom of the doors and wrap them in soft touch leather. It will feel like a luxury car and look the part. Take your FWD based SUVS and switch them to a RWD platform. ALL OF THEM!!! Once we have everything on a RWD platform then you should supercharge everything and have a true V series for each model. Charge everyone a premium of course and watch them sell. Make them more appealing and have a limited number for each model year and they will sell even quicker! The Escalade should be the only vehicle in GM’s XL SUV lineup to get a supercharged model from the factory and blow everything else out of the water.
For Cadillac to win, it will need to return to your “World Class” roots: World Class engineering, world class luxury, world class styling and world class quality. Yes, it will be a tough road back, but GM has the necessary resources, if it commits! If Cadillac stays myopically focused on being uniquely “World Class”… Cadillac will come roaring back to prominence! It’s in your grasp… now make it happen.
It ain’t gonna happen, Russ. I don’t disagree with you but none of that is ever going to happen. I’ve also espoused prescriptions for Cadillac to return to greatness and outlined the steps needed to get there. It’s pointless to dream anymore. Cadillac is a muddled mess currently on the wrong path. They have a never ending supply of short-term hapless leaders who endlessly change the brand’s direction, nomenclature, tagline, marketing, locale, product mix; everything is always in flux. It’s total chaos. They say a fish rots from the head down so I’ll pin the mess on Mary for now but the truth is, it preceded her. As I see it, Cadillac began its dissent in 1981 when they foolishly thought the most basic Chevrolet, the low-priced Cavalier come be made into a Cadillac with some leather and plastic chrome. They’re still trying to build Cadillacs on the cheap today with Escalade adhering to the Cimarron formula albeit at least based on a higher-end Chevy.
There is no hope for Cadillac under GM’s ownership and tutelage. If anyone on GM’s Board loves and reveres Cadillac as those of us here do, they must take action to sell the brand to a company capable of managing a luxury brand. There are many out there that could handle it. GM cannot. Mark Ruess cannot. Mary Barra cannot and it’s doubtful that a man from Dubai who has likely never even heard of The Penalty of Leadership is going to be the miracle-man saddling up to ride in on the proverbial white horse. The have to sell it to save it.
I’ve witnessed Mahmoud’s leadership. He is arrogant and hides behind senior leadership due to lack of experience. As mentioned above, Cadillac has muddled around and this leaderships move could cause Cadillac to fail.
you rude little rascal you don’t know him!! He is the sweetest kindest best person in the world (I know him very well) Please choose something better to do with your life than spread hate. YOU HAVE NOT WITNESSED HIS LEADERSHIP! This incredible person started in the factories and is now the vp! I am taking the time to write this because you DON’T KNOW HIM and I DO. I am sorry if this is coming off as rude but this man is my hero.
You little ugly duckling shut your mouth you are just jealous jAsOn
I don’t even know what to say. This man is SOOO hard working I know PERSONALLY that he takes calls at 3am in the morning and finishes work at 10pm! you are a jealous UHHHHHHH I cant even express my anger for you!!!!!!!!!!! JUST STOP YOU IDIOT! CADILLAC HAS BEEN DOING AMAZING BECAUSE OF THIS HUMAN!
You seriously changed your username three times to make it look like 3 different people left these comments? Lol, nice try bud, but you end up looking pre-tty stupid doing stuff like that 😉
fine you got me but what ever you do please dont bully my dad… ok im only 11… im just so proud of him
If this is really Mahmoud’s kid, this is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. He’s a great guy.
@V
I couldn’t believe it as it happened lol, never expected it in a million years. I wish all dads had kids who loved them this much.
please and btw how do you know him
I don’t know if I believe that you’re Samara’s 11 year old son lol. But if you are, I don’t know your dad, but I think he’ll do a good job regardless. Don’t let trolls online get to you, I’m a big GM and Cadillac fan and I think Mr. Samara will do a really good job. That’s just me personally 😉
@hi
Well then, if you’re Mahmoud’s daughter, do me a favor. Tell him that G8Burnout from GM Authority said to keep up the good work, that we’re all looking forward to future Cadillac cars like the new Celestiq, and that he’s very lucky to have a daughter that cares so much about him. You’re right to be proud of your dad! Keep up the good work 😉 we’re lucky your dad is running our favorite car company!