GM's Cruise Trims 8% of Workforce to Focus on Engineering
Cruise, the self-driving unit of General Motors, reduces about 8% of its staff to rebalance operations and prioritize engineering talent. The layoffs primarily affect non-engineering departments like recruiting and human resources.
Cruise, the self-driving vehicle unit majority owned by General Motors, reduces about 8% of its workforce as it rebalances its operations. The San Francisco-based company currently employs around 1,800 people and maintains that it still holds billions in the bank to support its clear mission.
The workforce reductions primarily affect departments outside of engineering, including recruiting and human resources. A spokesperson for Cruise explains that these actions reflect a strategic effort to double down on the company's engineering work and retain its core technical talent.
While these cuts occur during the coronavirus pandemic that heavily impacts the broader auto industry, a person familiar with the plans notes that the layoffs are not directly related to the Covid-19 crisis. Other automotive companies, such as Ford and GM itself, are also scaling back or delaying various mobility and autonomous ventures as they navigate the global economic downturn.