General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) has implemented a workforce reduction by eliminating approximately 200 engineering positions, aligning its human resources with its strategic growth plans. The affected employees, however, will be given the opportunity to seek alternative positions within the company.
In harmony with its overarching strategy titled “Winning with Simplicity,” GM is targeting the reduction of design and engineering expenses, as well as the simplification of vehicle orders and manufacturing procedures. This strategic approach allows GM to enhance the efficiency of its marketing, engineering, and manufacturing operations, all while ensuring that customer-desired features remain unaffected.
Separately, GM’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise, has concurred to slash its San Francisco robotaxi fleet by half. This decision was prompted by a request from the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in response to an incident involving a driverless vehicle colliding with an unspecified emergency vehicle.
According to the DMV’s official statement, Cruise has committed to a 50% reduction in its fleet size. This entails operating a maximum of 50 autonomous vehicles during daytime hours and 150 during nighttime hours. A report from the San Francisco Chronicle indicates that the collision-involved vehicle, which had the right of way with a green light, was struck by the emergency vehicle as it entered an intersection.
Greg Dietrerich, the general manager of Cruise in San Francisco, explained that the robotaxi detected the potential for a collision and attempted to mitigate the impact by applying brakes and reducing its speed. However, the collision could not be entirely avoided. He further emphasized that the company is dedicated to collaborating with regulatory authorities and municipal departments to enhance safety measures and minimize the likelihood of such incidents.
The DMV clarified that the reduction in the fleet’s size will remain in effect throughout the course of the investigation and until Cruise undertakes corrective actions to enhance safety protocols.
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