ZURICH – This month General Motors Europe is appointing a new team of executives under the leadership of Mahmoud Samara, who has been named President and Managing Director of GM Europe to lead a nimble start-up operation in Europe since December 1, 2021.
“My mission is to transform our current organization into a non-traditional mobility start-up in the region, identifying entrepreneurial opportunities to commercialize our global growth strategy investments in Europe”, Samara emphasized. “By appointing five experienced GM executives from an array of areas and with an international background to support the existing team at our regional headquarters, we will make sure to re-establish our presence in the world’s second largest and fastest growing electric vehicle market.”
“We will not only leverage the roll out of GM’s comprehensive and cutting-edge EV and AV portfolio but also reaching into and beyond the sectors of new and innovative software enabled services, connectivity, autonomous technology, defense, delivery and logistics,” said Samara.
The role of the new executives and their teams will be instrumental in supporting GM Europe’s mission to lead a sustainable and profitable mobility start-up business, with a foundation of electric and autonomous vehicles and the expansion into new activities. Over the coming months, the team will develop plans to bring GM’s best products and services to customers in Europe and help build a cleaner and better future.
Sajed Sbeih has been named Vice President – Strategy, Product and Operations – GM Europe. Since January 1, he is in charge of leading innovation, strategy, building partnerships and alliances as well as product planning and new GM businesses portfolio.
In his previous role, Sbeih has been Managing Director for Commercial Operations in MEO and Sub-Saharan Africa. He started his career in 2004 and has had several cross functional leadership positions in Africa, Middle East and Australia in the areas of wholesale and retail automotive environment with a proven track record in establishing and leading business planning and strategy, product portfolio, brand management, marketing, commercial operations, market research, start-up projects and new business development.
Christopher LaLonde has been appointed Vice President - Customer Experience and Connectivity – GM Europe. In this new role, that he will assume as of February 1, LaLonde will be responsible for developing Europe’s Customer Experience, eCommerce and Connectivity strategy across the customer ecosystem.
Most recently, Lalonde led the product and customer experience strategy for Shop.Click.Drive in the US to help accelerate and elevate GM’s leadership in digital retail. Additional leadership positions at GM include OnStar, Global Innovation, and Operational Excellence (OpEX).
He brings excellent leadership and cross-functional knowledge of the Digital & Connected Vehicle ownership space, Customer Experience Strategy & Design, Product Management, Agile Development, Digital Retail, and eCommerce.
Jason Sledziewski, has been named Chief Marketing Officer - GM Europe. As of February 1, Sledziewski will be instrumental in steering the business transformation while leading brand, vehicle, and product marketing across Europe.
In his previous function he has led launches of all current Cadillac models in the US as well as driven strategies for GM’s future electric vehicles.
Sledziewski has extensive experience in corporate branding, digital marketing, sponsorship development, the development and execution of marketing strategies including multiple vehicle launches, as well as media and public communications.
Dirk Kumbrink will be appointed CFO – GM Europe, effective February 1. In this role, Kumbrink will help set up and grow a sustainable and profitable start-up business in Europe.
In his previous role, Kumbrink led the development of the Long Term Plan outlining GM’s growth strategy for revenue and margin expansion. Prior to this, he has held various leadership roles in Finance, including Finance Director Product Development – Full Size Trucks and Crossovers and Director GMNA Accelerate, where he led the creation of revenue growth opportunities, improving profit margins and focus on reducing structural cost.
His experience also includes key roles in Manufacturing Engineering such as the implementation of new processes and equipment for vehicle launches, Manufacturing Integration Manager for Opel/Buick Cascada, and General Management at Adam Opel AG, while working in Germany and Italy.
Sam van Kleef will be promoted to the new position of Director, Network Development – GM Europe. As of February 1 ,Van Kleef will be leading the development and implementation of a go-to-market distribution network strategy for new vehicle sales and aftersales.
Prior to his new function, he played a vital role in the development of the Enterprise Growth Strategy, 2020 North America President capital markets day pitch to investors, led annual cross-functional North America strategy sessions, and spearheaded the diversity & inclusion cultural shift including the creation of the D&I Ambassador team.
He has joined GM in 2015 and has contributed to our Corporate, GM International, GM Asia Pacific, Cadillac Global and GM North America operations in Singapore, Warren MI, New York and Detroit MI.
Sbeih, LaLonde, Sledziewski and van Kleef will be reporting directly to Samara while Kumbrink will report to Loek Beckers, Vice President and CFO GM International, and indirectly to Samara. All five executives will be joining Samara in relocating to Zurich, Switzerland.
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General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at www.gm.com.