GMs Investment in Driverless Cars Takes a Turn for the Worse
Title: Cruise CEO Resigns Following Hit-and-Run Incident, GM Contemplates Future of Self-Driving Cars
San Francisco, California – In a shocking turn of events, General Motors’ autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise, announced the resignation of CEO Kyle Vogt after a hit-and-run incident involving a Cruise vehicle. As a result, Cruise’s permit to operate driverless cars in California has been suspended, impacting the company’s operations.
To address the situation, Cruise has swiftly taken action by pausing all driverless operations across the country, initiating an independent safety audit, recalling its vehicles, and appointing a new chief safety officer. The intensity of the situation has also led to the resignation of Cruise co-founder and chief product officer, Dan Kan, according to a reliable source.
The unexpected development is the latest in a series of challenges faced by GM’s acquisition of Cruise over the past seven years. While other automakers have scaled back their autonomous ambitions, GM has remained steadfast in their commitment to the technology. CEO Mary Barra has been a vocal advocate for self-driving cars, often highlighting Vogt’s role in the company’s events.
In light of the incident and Vogt’s departure, Barra has assumed a more hands-on approach at Cruise by appointing GM’s general counsel, Craig Glidden, as Cruise’s co-president. This leadership shuffle is not the first at Cruise, as previous CEO Dan Ammann was ousted in 2021 due to a difference in vision regarding the future of the company.
Vogt, an advocate for the grand vision of self-driving cars, may have prioritized speed over safety, drawing comparisons to Uber’s approach. This has raised concerns about GM’s next steps and the company’s willingness to continue investing in self-driving technology. Layoffs may be on the horizon, as GM indicated.
While Cruise’s struggles are unique to GM, as other automakers have distanced themselves from self-driving startups, GM’s recent reabsorption of its electric delivery company, BrightDrop, sparks speculation about the possibility of direct oversight and enhanced safety measures for Cruise.
Vogt’s ambition for Cruise to dominate the market, similar to Uber’s ill-fated attempt with Lyft, has proved to be a cautionary tale. As the situation continues to evolve, the future of self-driving cars remains uncertain, and GM finds itself at a crossroads, deciding whether to forge ahead or cut its losses.
*Update: The story has been further updated to reflect Dan Kan’s resignation as Cruise’s chief product officer, adding another layer of complexity to the already challenging situation faced by GM and Cruise.*
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