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GM Tech Shakeup Deepens as Three Senior Software Leaders Exit

General Motors’ tech shakeup is accelerating, with three senior software executives departing in less than a month as the automaker restructures its technology divisions. Many readers searching for updates on GM’s leadership changes want to know why these exits are happening now and how they impact the company’s electric and software strategy. The answer lies in GM's sweeping reorganization under its new chief product officer, a move reshaping nearly every part of its vehicle development pipeline. The rapid turnover signals a turbulent but deliberate shift toward a more unified approach to software and services. As GM intensifies investments in EVs and digital platforms, leadership stability — or lack of it — is becoming a critical storyline. This latest wave of departures marks one of GM’s most dramatic tech leadership reshuffles in years.

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Senior Software VP Baris Cetinok Announces Exit

Baris Cetinok, GM’s senior vice president of software and services product management, is the latest to leave, with his departure effective December 12. GM confirmed his exit following early reporting from CNBC, adding another high-profile name to the ongoing shakeup. Cetinok joined GM in 2023, bringing experience from Apple and other major tech firms, making his exit particularly notable in the context of GM’s software transformation. His role focused on shaping digital services, subscription products, and the next generation of in-vehicle software. Losing a leader at this strategic level raises new questions about internal restructuring and the pace of GM’s technology overhaul. It also highlights the broader churn facing legacy automakers as they compete in software-driven mobility. The timing of his departure — amid consolidation of GM’s tech divisions — suggests deeper organizational shifts behind the scenes.

Two Other Senior Tech Leaders Depart Amid Restructuring

Cetinok is not alone. Dave Richardson, senior vice president of software and services engineering, also left within the past month, marking another significant leadership gap. Richardson previously guided engineering teams responsible for critical digital initiatives across GM’s software stack. His exit mirrors the timing and uncertainty surrounding the company’s broader restructuring efforts. Adding to this wave, Barak Turovsky — hired in March as GM’s head of AI — also departed after a short tenure. Turovsky brought extensive experience from Google, where he helped shape major AI and machine learning products. The simultaneous loss of three leaders with deep Silicon Valley backgrounds indicates a more complex internal shift than a standard reorganization. It also suggests that the integration of GM’s disparate tech units may have created friction during the transition process.

New Chief Product Officer Plays Central Role in the Shakeup

These departures follow GM’s decision earlier this year to bring in Sterling Anderson as its first-ever chief product officer. Anderson’s arrival signaled a major pivot in how GM manages product, engineering, and software teams. With a background in autonomous vehicles and executive leadership across the tech mobility sector, he was hired to unify and accelerate product development across the company. His broad authority now touches nearly every department tied to vehicle creation and technology services. This includes software engineering, manufacturing, battery systems, and in-car services — all areas deeply affected by the recent executive exits. As Anderson reshapes the organizational architecture, some churn is expected. However, the scale and timing of these departures highlight the intensity of the transition underway.

A Veteran of AV Development Leads GM’s Next Big Bet

Anderson reports directly to GM President Mark Reuss, underscoring the importance of his new mandate within the company’s long-term strategy. His leadership is designed to bring the agility of the tech sector to GM’s traditional automotive processes. Anderson’s background in autonomous vehicle innovation suggests he is focused on accelerating development cycles and integrating software more tightly into every layer of GM’s product ecosystem. This approach aligns with GM’s push for more robust digital services and next-generation EV platforms. Yet such sweeping changes often come with internal resistance as legacy systems and newer tech teams merge. The executive turnover may reflect a reshaping meant to streamline future decision-making as GM positions itself for more competitive software-driven growth.

Consolidating GM’s Disparate Tech Teams Into One Organization

The departures occur as GM merges its previously separate software, services, battery, and engineering units into a single unified tech organization. This consolidation aims to eliminate silos that slowed development and created friction between hardware and digital teams. While the strategy promises long-term efficiency, it also disrupts existing leadership structures, contributing to shorter-term instability. By centralizing these divisions under Anderson’s leadership, GM hopes to accelerate innovation and improve consistency across its vehicle lineup. The shift mirrors trends across the auto industry, where traditional automakers are racing to adapt to a software-first future. But with three high-level exits in one month, the transition appears to be more disruptive than anticipated.

What the Shakeup Means for GM’s Software Future

Although GM maintains confidence in its reorganization plan, the leadership turnover highlights growing pressure as the company competes with both EV rivals and tech-native disruptors. Software quality and reliability remain critical challenges, especially as GM expands digital subscriptions and over-the-air upgrades. Losing leaders with deep tech pedigrees may slow some initiatives in the near term, but the restructuring also signals GM’s determination to rewrite its internal playbook. If Anderson succeeds in unifying engineering and software development, GM could emerge stronger with a more cohesive product strategy. But the next several months will determine whether this shakeup becomes a turning point or a cautionary tale for legacy automakers attempting rapid transformation.

GM Enters 2026 With Ambition — and Uncertainty

As GM approaches the new year, the company faces both opportunity and uncertainty. The executive departures underscore the growing pains of transitioning into a software-centric automaker. Still, GM’s leadership remains committed to the restructuring path, signaling confidence in its new organizational model. The question now is whether the company can stabilize its teams while accelerating innovation under Anderson’s leadership. With EV competition intensifying and software becoming the defining battleground, GM's ability to execute this transformation will shape its position in the next era of mobility. For now, the tech shakeup remains one of the most closely watched storylines in the automotive industry.