GM's Cruise self-driving unit getting new CEO

General Motors’ autonomous driving unit will have a new CEO beginning next month.

The company announced Tuesday that Marc Whitten, a “founding engineer at Xbox and Xbox Live” and former Amazon executive involved in that company’s apps and entertainment services, will take over the leadership spot, effective July 16.

Whitten’s appointment fills the opening left when Kyle Vogt resigned as CEO in November in a shake-up over safety concerns after a pedestrian was dragged by a Cruise self-driving taxi, according to Reuters.

Whitten, in a news release, said the team at Cruise has built world-class technology.

"In a few years, transportation will be fundamentally safer and more accessible than it is today, creating much more value for individuals and communities around the world. It is an opportunity of a lifetime to be part of this transformation," Whitten said in the release.

Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO and chair of the Cruise Board of Directors, praised Whitten as a “proven technology and business leader with extensive experience in scaling products and building ecosystems around them.”

More:California to fine GM's unit Cruise for delaying report on San Francisco accident

Mo Elshenawy will stay on as president and chief technology officer; Craig Glidden, who is moving from his post as general counsel at GM, will serve as president and chief administrative officer. Both will report to Whitten.

In addition, Nick Mulholland, who led communications at Rivian, was named chief communications and marketing officer, the release said.

In other news, GM announced that Grant Dixton, who had been chief legal officer at Activision Blizzard, will join GM as executive vice president and chief legal and public policy officer on July 15, assuming the role held by Glidden.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

Reporter's note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Grant Dixton's name.