Canada’s Carlisle to head Cadillac
General Motors has announced the appointment of Steve Carlisle as General Motors senior vice-president and president, Cadillac,
Travis Hester, currently vice-president, Global Product Programs, is named president and managing director, GM Canada, replacing Carlisle. The transition will begin immediately.
Carlisle, who was born in Ontario, was most recently president and managing director of GM Canada, where he led a resurgence of the GM Canada franchise.
In 2017, GM was number one in automotive retail sales in Canada, with Buick, GMC and Cadillac achieving their best ever sales years. Carlisle also reestablished key relationships in Canada with retailers, employees and government officials.
“The potential for Cadillac across the globe is incredible and I’m honored to be chosen to be a part of mapping that future,” said Carlisle. “I look forward to building on our current momentum as we continue on our mission to position Cadillac at the pinnacle of luxury.” Carlisle began his GM career in 1982 as an industrial engineering co-op student at the Oshawa Truck Assembly Plant. Over the course of his career with General Motors, Carlisle has held several senior leadership positions that have taken him across the globe, including vice-president, Global Product Planning (2010-2014); vice-president, U.S. Sales Operations (2010); and president and managing director, Southeast Asia Operations (2007-2010). Hester brings extensive global leadership and global product development experience to his new role at GM Canada. Since 2016, he has led the team responsible for balancing all aspects of vehicle development, including quality, cost, appearance, purchasing, customer acceptance and performance targets. Hester will report to Alan Batey, president, GM North America.