Carlisle Jumps From Cadillac Prez to GM North America Boss

Cadillac President Steve Carlisle just got a promotion. Following the announced departure of General Motors North America President Barry Engle, GM tapped the 58-year-old Canadian for the spot.

Arriving at Cadillac in 2018 after the ouster of former brand boss Johan de Nysschen, Carlisle has overseen the introduction of new product and the development of the first of Cadillac’s future range of electric vehicles. It’s a direction GM’s pursuing heavily across all brands, making Carlisle an obvious pick for Engle’s job.

In a statement, GM said Engle, 56, was “leaving GM to pursue leadership opportunities that leverage his broad executive expertise in a variety of industries.” Carlisle steps into his new shoes on September 1st. A source told the Detroit Free Press that Engle, sensing that time was running out, jumped ship in order to find a company to run. The search is on.

For Carlisle, who joined the automaker as a co-op student at GM Canada’s Oshawa Truck Assembly in 1982, Engle’s departure represents an opportunity to make a mark as sales, service, and marketing leader across all GM divisions. He’ll report to GM President Mark Reuss. Before leaving to head the Cadillac brand, Carlisle served as president of GM Canada.

“Steve will help us scale the considerable transformation progress we have been making, while at the same time preserving the sufficient autonomy necessary to maintain four distinct vehicle brands,” said CEO Mary Barra in a statement.

“This role will build on Steve’s progressive leadership within GM, particularly over the past two years at Cadillac. This change will also improve the collaboration and decision-making that fuel innovation.”

While Carlisle retains his oversight of Cadillac, the scope of his job was widened, meaning someone else needs to keep a close eye on the automaker’s premium brand on a day-to-day basis. That responsibility falls to Rory Harvey, 52, who GM appointed vice president, Cadillac Sales, Service and Marketing. Harvey joined the brand in 2018 after serving as boss of the former British GM property, Vauxhall.

[Images: General Motors]