Taking over Chinese business just over 1 year, 59 years old Bob Socia, president of GM, announced retired on 1 Jan 204 on 29 Nov. His successor is 53 years ago ethnic Chinese Matt Tsien.
Just like Bob Socia, Matt Tsien will take GM Executive Operation Member position after he assuming office. The different is Matt Tsien shall report to GM CEO and chairman Dan Akerson directly. However, Bob Socia reports to Tim Lee who is the chairman of board of GM China now.
Akerson said that Matt owns rich experience on Chinese market, and build close relationship with GM partners already. It will benefit work handing over.
As reporter known, Matt takes vice president of GM Chinese product program and project management. He will be the first Chinese ethnic president of GM.
Matt Tsien was bored on Madagascar. He lived in Taiwan and Thailand before. Matt internship in GM in 1976, and has serviced for GM as long as 37 years. According to GM news, Matt Tsien accumulates his experience all over the world. Matt took leader position in GM Chinese joint venture before, and has rich experience in Chinese business operation.
Matt Tsien has taken SAIC-GM-Wuling vice president before. He joined the negotiation with SAIC at the first phrase, which lay foundation for SAIC GM joint venture and Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center. From Jan 2013 to present, he is in charge of GM products program.
Bob Socia is another senior staff of GM as well. He works for GM for almost 40 years.
Bob Socia takes GM China president from 57 years old Kevin Wale in Oct 2012.
Akerson said that “when Bob takes GM China president position, we have our agreement to include successorcultivation as his duty. Now Matt is ready, and Bob can retire after winning merits. ”
As it known, GM China joint ventures sales have reached more than 3 million this year. Besides, Bob has leaded Cadillac product line in China, and expands export to developing countries.
GM China management has adjusted for times this year.
GM announces to adjust its international operation management structure in August. The company decided to set new president position, which is taken by Tim Lee. GM announces that transferring head office of CIO from Shanghai to Singapore from the second quarter of 2014 in Nov this year.
At present, China is the biggest market for GM. GM has 12 joint ventures and 2 subordinates in China. Employment is around 55 thousand. Sales of 2012 in China are more than 2.83 million. At the beginning of this year, GM has announced that it will invest around 11 billion dollars into Chinese joint venture on products and facilities before the end of 2016.
