Edward Kummer, appointed as Chief Digital Officer of General Motors in October 2021, is stepping down from his role following several months of software quality-related issues with a few GM vehicles.
According to a report from Detroit Free Press, the Detroit-based automaker stated last Tuesday that Kummer is leaving the company. Notably, no successor has been named as of the time of this writing.
“We wish Edward Kummer well and thank him for his years of contribution to GM,” a statement from General Motors read. “We have reorganized some of our teams supporting digital services and experiences to ensure the business continues to run efficiently. We have no further details to share at this time.”
It’s worth noting that Kummer isn’t the only high-profile GM personnel leaving recently. Executive Vice President of Software and Services Mike Abbott announced earlier this month that he was stepping down from his position due to health reasons. Additionally, the Detroit Free Press confirms that GM Vice President of Customer Experience Donald Chesnut is stepping down as well.
“The Digital Services & Experiences team, currently part of the Software & Services organization, is being reorganized within other areas of GM,” a GM spokesperson claimed in a prepared statement. “The goal is more consistency with revenue-generating, software, and marketing functions to make the groups work more efficiently while keeping customer experience and quality a top priority.”
As a reminder, the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevy Blazer EV were collectively subjected to a stop-sale order due to the aforementioned software quality-related problems. Lasting for roughly three months, sales of both all-electric crossovers were halted as General Motors worked out a solution. Finally, a Customer Satisfaction Program was issued in March 2024 that addressed these software issues and lifted the stop-sale order.
Interestingly, the Chevy Blazer EV also received a substantial price drop following the resumption of sales.
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Pulled down by the Lyriq's very poor performance.
Some 51 million airbags inflators are dodging a recall for now.
Because of a mounting bolt that's too long.
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Umm what? The Lyriq had a stop sale on it early on in its life but not at the same time as the Blazer EV.
Computers on wheels to give basic transportation from point A to point B. Had none of these issues with my first vehicle at age 15, a 65 El Camino, 327 auto back in the day. LOL.
Yeah, cars never had problems back then....
I don't know why people want computers/software on wheels. Hasn't computers/software on desktops taught anyone anything? Computers/software on desktops are unreliable. What makes anyone think swapping the desktop for wheels will change anything?
He sez using his computer/software on a desktop....
Some on this site have been calling for new leadership at GM for a good while now. I guess maybe MaryJoe is seeing the light. This is at least a start.
Those comments are meant for Mary Joe.
She needs to go before she fumbles GM into its last bankruptcy
Let’s not forget about the bolt stop order, Evs just costing the company money. Put some research money in ice, keep cleaning them up. I hope to have 20 more years before I die so it’s ice until then for me.
I meet thousands of people that think they know how to do software.
I know about a hundred that actually know how to do software.
Poor software skills and leadership, will leave only the Amish able to do anything.