GM Hires Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann as New GM Europe Chairman

General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
240 photos
has hired Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann as the new Chairman of OpelOpelGermany, 1863 > present85 models
5151 photos
8 videos
and President of GM Europe. The positions also mean that he will be a GM vice present and member of the GM Executive Committee. The promotion is effective March 1. Current President of GM Europe Steve Girsky will return to his role as Vice-Chairman of GM. 

“Dr. Neumann has in-depth knowledge of the automotive industry. He has a proven track record in growing business in a profitable way as well as in turnarounds," said Girsky. 

Dr. Neumann will be responsible for all of GM's brands in Europe and will be instrumental in ending the losses that GM has had in Europe. The company's sales were down 8.2% in Europe in 2012 and has lost billions of dollars there in the last few years. 

“I am excited to lead a company with such a rich German heritage and strong product portfolio. I'm aware that this will be a challenging job, but I'm convinced that together with my leadership team and employees, we will turn around the company," said Dr. Neumann. 

Dr. Neumann was formerly the CEO and vice president of Volkswagen Group China from September 2010 to August 2012. He worked started working at VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
in 1999 when he was hired as the head of their electric strategy. Then, he worked at German auto supplier Continental as the head of its Automotive Systems Division and served as the chairman of the board there from August 2008 to September 2009. He holds a doctorate in electrical engineering.