GM names Marissa West as the new head of its North American operations

General Motors (GM) has named Marissa West as the senior vice-president and president of its North American operations, effective January 2.

West has been serving as the president and managing director of GM Canada since March 2022. GM shared in a press statement that she has led the company’s Canadian operations through a tremendous period of growth with a focus on electrification, innovation and diversity. Under West’s leadership, GM Canada took the lead in total market share in 2023; secured investment for all three Canadian manufacturing operations; and completed agreements for GM’s new Cathode Active Material (CAM) processing facility, Ultium CAM, a joint venture in Bécancour, Quebec.

“I’m so proud of my fellow GM Canada employees, our Canadian dealers and many partners for all that we’ve accomplished over the last two years,” said West. “It was an honour to lead Canada during such a pivotal time of growth including investments in manufacturing, supply chain and software development. Together, we’ve built a more diverse, more innovative, and more sustainable industry right here in Canada.”

In her new role, West reports to Rory Harvey, executive vice-president and president, global markets and is located in the United States. She will continue to oversee GM Canada operations until her replacement is announced at a later date.

West shared the following message on leading GM Canada:

“I’m honoured and excited to take on a new position as senior vice president and president of North America.

Leading the GM Canada team over these last two years has been truly rewarding. Experiencing Canada and all the diversity and culture it has to offer has been lifechanging for me and my family.

The people are what make it special, and I’ve been inspired by so many talented employees, dealers, and partners who’ve been instrumental in the growth we’re seeing at GM Canada today.

Our dealer network demonstrated remarkable resilience and overcame inventory and supply chain constraints, as well as changing market conditions. In 2023, we’re on track to lead the Canadian industry in total market share driven by customer demand for full-size trucks and utilities, as we launch even more Ultium-based EVs. Thank you for your passion and commitment to provide an exceptional customer experience.

Our R&D, engineering and manufacturing teams are truly the best in Canada. There’s a little bit of Canada in every new GM vehicle and our Canadian Technical Centre continues to be a hotbed of innovation. I’m especially proud that we announced significant investments at Oshawa, St. Catharines and CAMI that will ensure we continue to lead in ICE as we transition to an all-electric future. Working with Unifor, we recently secured an historic agreement that recognizes the many contributions of our represented team members.

In the shift to electrification, GM has also made major investments that will be foundational to shaping the future of Canada’s EV landscape. Thank you to our government partners, who have been by our side to build the EV sector from the ground up. From opening Canada’s first large-scale EV plant at CAMI, to announcing the production of EV drive units at St. Catharines and developing a Cathode Active Material (CAM) processing facility with POSCO Future M in Quebec – there’s so much opportunity ahead of us.

Above all, this business is about supporting the communities where we live and work. From donating nearly $2 million to charities and non-profits across Canada in 2023, to amplifying the voices of diverse groups, the GM Canada family continues to make a difference for those who need it most.

What makes Canada so unique is its spirit of innovation, teamwork, and kindness, and I will take a piece of it with me wherever I go.”