SHANGHAI – General Motors announced Steve Hill, currently vice president, global commercial operations, will succeed GM executive vice president and president, GM China, Julian Blissett, effective June 1.
Blissett has decided to retire from GM after a distinguished global career with the company, having led GM China through a period of significant growth and change in the domestic industry and navigating the COVID pandemic.
“Julian has laid important foundations for GM to continue to build on our 27-year history of success and growth in China, with his focus on the competitiveness of our products and technology, as well as our partnerships in the country,” said Rory Harvey, GM executive vice president and president, Global Markets.
“We are excited to welcome Steve as GM senior vice president and president of GM China. With his deep commercial acumen and focus on customers, Steve has a clear mandate to fully leverage the opportunity presented by accelerating the electrification of our portfolio in China and deploying new technologies.”
Blissett began his career at GM in 1996 in engineering in Europe. After leading Manufacturing and New Business Development teams, he was promoted to executive vice president of SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM) in 2014. Blissett was appointed senior vice president, International Operations, in 2019 where he led critical projects to optimize GM’s international business and turn around performance, before being appointed to lead GM China in 2020.
“It has been an honor to contribute to GM’s success in global markets throughout my career and particularly in China,” Blissett said. “I am confident that GM is positioned for growth and success in China. The time is right for me to retire and move back to England where I can be with my family full time.”
Through an outstanding career with GM, Hill has held leadership roles across global Marketing, Sales and Aftersales. Aside from his current role, Hill’s previous key roles have included vice president of U.S. Sales, Service and Marketing and global vice president of Customer Care and Aftersales.
Hill said: “I am excited and energized by this new role, where I can leverage my experience in building strong relationships with partners, driving sales, and developing world-class purchase and ownership experiences for our customers, in one of the most competitive markets in the world.”
In his new role, Hill will join GM’s Senior Leadership Team, reporting to Harvey. He will be based in Shanghai.
