Report: Brian Nesbitt out as Cadillac boss, Mark Ruess consolidates

[NewsFeeder]

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Cadillac, GM

Most agree that the majority of General Motors' recent products are easily on par with the competition in terms of design, quality and performance. And having shed much of its legacy costs in bankruptcy last year, GM should be making money on those products. However, sales of many of its newest, greatest products have languished and the blame seems to have fallen - according to Jim Hall and Peter Delorenzo - on marketing.

After bankruptcy, the general managers for each division were primarily left with the responsibility for sales and marketing, and while Chevrolet and GMC have made progress in recent months, Cadillac has not. Last summer GM promoted Brian Nesbitt from the design department where he led North American styling to be Cadillac's general manager. As of this morning, not any more.

Following its monthly sales conference call this morning, GM is planning to announce executive level changes in its sales and marketing staffs including the possible of Nesbitt. It also appears that GM president Mark Reuss is consolidating more of the sales and marketing responsibilities and reporting to himself. Marketing boss Susan Docherty still reports to Reuss, but several people who formerly reported to Docherty will apparently now directly report to the president.

Cadillac communications manager Nick Twork declined comment on the whole matter. We'll know more later in the day.

[source: Motor Trend]

Report: Brian Nesbitt out as Cadillac boss, Mark Ruess consolidates originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

[Carguy]

Put Lutz in charge of Cadillac!!!

[hyperv6]

I like Brian but never understood him going to Cadillac in this capacity.

HE is a designer not a manager. I would rather see him move to just under Ed Welborn and work just under him. I am not sure how old Ed is but I would like to see brian move up and take over for Ed when he retires.

In the past GM always had two strong design guys directing things. Earl and Mitchell to Mitchell and Jordan then to Jordan and Schniella. GM often worked well with two strong designers. I think it always gave a better product in the end.

I feel Brian was removed to manage when his real talent is to create. Leave the managing to the pencil pushers leave the design and engneering to the talented folks.

[RJB]

Get rid of Johnny Knoxville (aka) Brian Nesbitt as a manager I agree. Personally I think they need to do more chopping at the top, most of the bleeding came from the bottom during bankruptcy. Put fresh blood in there, i.e. a younger aged person, it doesn't matter who it is. The stuffy, brittle, old GM regime with walkers still reigns supreme and this problem needs to be flushed down the Detroit river out of the Ren - Cen.

[Robert Hall]

I feel Brian was removed to manage when his real talent is to create. Leave the managing to the pencil pushers leave the design and engneering to the talented folks.

Exactly. Great designers and engineers don't necessarily make great managers or leaders. Different skill sets and mindsets. Chrysler is trying it with Ralph Gilles at Dodge, wonder how that will work out...