Like Father, Like Son: GM's Mark Reuss Named Company President

Mark Reuss, General Motors’ global product boss and fan of the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette (especially the ZR1), was named GM president on Thursday morning, replacing Dan Ammann in that vacated role.

Ammann left the president’s chair in November to head up GM’s Cruise self-driving car unit, leading GM to discuss scrapping the role of president. Suffice it to say it had second thoughts. In the 54-year-old Reuss, the automaker has a product-focused company lifer whose attention hasn’t strayed since joining back in 1983.

In his new role, Reuss’s responsibilities aren’t exactly turned on their head. He’ll continue in his prior duties as product chief, adding oversight of quality organization to his plate.

In June of 2018, GM named Reuss Executive Vice President and President, Global Product Group and Cadillac, bumping him up the ladder from his former position as executive VP of global product development. The shakeup served to give then-president Ammann greater oversight of Cruise.

Going back further, Reuss created and headed up the GM’s Performance Division starting in 2001, giving birth to the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands’ SS and V badges. Performance remained a focus for the exec even after moving on to new roles. He infamously crashed a Corvette ZR1 in advance of last year’s Detroit Grand Prix after failing to lift off the throttle at a key moment, forcing the exec to issue an official apology.

“Mark’s global operational experience, deep product knowledge and strong leadership will serve us well as we continue to strengthen our current business, take advantage of growth opportunities and further define the future of personal mobility,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra in a statement. “Mark has played a critical role in leading the development of the company’s award-winning vehicles while transitioning his team to prepare for growing electrification and autonomous technologies.”

In accepting the position, Reuss follows in the footsteps of his father, Lloyd, who served as GM president from 1990 to 1992. Boardroom infighting cut his father’s career short, but the younger Reuss wasn’t swayed in his ambitions.

“I am very proud to have spent my entire career at General Motors, and to now take on this new role is truly a great honor,” Reuss said in a statement. “With our current lineup of outstanding cars, trucks and crossovers around the world, I’m looking forward to keeping our momentum going at full speed.”

[Image: General Motors]