GM safety chief says company must simplify processes in wake of recall

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co., recalling 1.6 million small cars equipped with faulty ignition switches tied to 12 deaths, needs to simplify its processes, the automaker’s new vehicle safety chief said.

“We need to learn from this, get better and move forward,” Jeff Boyer, vice president of global vehicle safety, said on Bloomberg Television’s “Surveillance” with Tom Keene.

Boyer, a 40-year GM veteran, has global responsibility for identifying and resolving product-safety issues. He was promoted March 18 by CEO Mary Barra, who is scheduled to testify before U.S. House and Senate panels next week. The company hired outside investigators to help it understand all the facts of what went wrong, Boyer said.

Boyer, 58, reports to John Calabrese, GM vice president of global vehicle engineering as a member of global product development staff, led by Executive Vice President Mark Reuss. He had served as director of engineering operations and systems development since 2001. Previously, he was executive director of global interior engineering and safety performance. He joined GM in 1974 as a co-op student or intern.