SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 13, 2025 – General Motors is revving up its consumer-first innovation strategy with a major leadership move: Sterling Anderson, co-founder of autonomous tech pioneer Aurora, is stepping in as GM’s new executive vice president, global product, and chief product officer.
This bold appointment comes at a pivotal moment for GM, as the automotive giant shifts into high gear on its mission to deliver vehicles that don’t just move people—but move them emotionally, too. With decades of experience at the intersection of high-performance hardware and breakthrough software, Anderson’s arrival promises to bring smarter, sleeker, and more seamless driving experiences to consumers.
A Visionary at the Wheel
Sterling Anderson isn’t new to redefining what’s possible in mobility. Before co-founding Aurora and launching the nation’s first commercial, fully driverless trucking service in Texas, Anderson made waves at Tesla—leading the Model X program and the team that delivered the groundbreaking Autopilot system.
Now, he's bringing that same future-forward thinking to GM, where he’ll oversee the complete product journey—from concept and design to hardware, software, and the everyday experiences drivers have behind the wheel.
“Our customers are expecting more from our vehicles than ever before,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “Sterling brings decades of leadership in automotive engineering and transformative software innovation to his new role and is the right leader to help GM continue leading now and into the future.”
What This Means for Consumers
GM’s decision to bring Anderson on board is more than a leadership shift—it’s a signal to car buyers everywhere that their needs, lifestyles, and expectations are taking center stage. Under Anderson’s guidance, GM is aiming for:
- Shorter development cycles so new features and models hit the road faster
- Deeper software-hardware integration to ensure vehicles feel intuitive and intelligent
- Enhanced user experiences, from infotainment to safety systems
- Designs that delight, blending high performance with everyday practicality
Anderson shares this vision passionately. “GM has a deep heritage, bold vision, and the technical foundation to create products that millions of people love,” he said. “The world is at an inflection point. Advances in foundational technologies have opened opportunities to revolutionize not just how we create products, but what those products can be and do.”
Powering Innovation from the Ground Up
Anderson will officially begin his new role on June 2 at GM’s Mountain View Tech Center in California—right at the heart of Silicon Valley innovation. His appointment reflects GM’s growing focus on blending automotive excellence with software sophistication.
“Sterling joins GM at a critical time as our industry continues to reinvent itself,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “He brings decades of leadership in automotive engineering, tech start-ups, and software innovation. Sterling will help accelerate the pace of progress – he shares our passion and vision for beautifully designed, high-performing, and technology-forward vehicles.”
With a Ph.D. in robotics from MIT and a legacy of turning science into human-centered solutions—like the Intelligent Co-Pilot safety system he developed at MIT—Anderson is expected to champion a product strategy that’s not just smarter, but deeply personal.
A New Era for GM Drivers
For consumers, this means a future filled with vehicles that anticipate your needs, update seamlessly, and feel more like companions than machines. Whether you're into gas-powered classics or sleek EVs, Anderson's influence could shape cars that better understand, protect, and inspire their drivers.
The road ahead for GM is bright—and it's being paved by someone who knows exactly how to lead us there.
Learn more at https://www.gm.com.