GM hires former Tesla exec to head mergers and acquisitions

DETROIT — General Motors said it has hired former Tesla Inc. executive Zach Kirkman as vice president of corporate development and global mergers and acquisitions.

GM's CFO Paul Jacobson announced the hiring in a LinkedIn post Monday. Kirkman was head of mergers and acquisitions for Tesla, where he had worked since 2016, according to his LinkedIn page. He previously spent six years in finance and corporate development at Apple Inc.

He replaces Greg Hagy, who retired from GM several months ago, a spokesperson said. Kirkman reports to GM North America CFO John Stapleton.

Kirkman is charged with helping accelerate GM's "future and growth strategy" for electric vehicles, Jacobson wrote.

"He brings an extensive background assessing and executing M&A, evaluating and managing minority investments, evaluating unique supply chain situations, as well as leading special projects," Jacobson wrote, noting that Kirkman's first car was a 1969 Buick Wildcat convertible that he and his father restored.

Kirkman's hiring comes three months after GM added former Tesla sales chief Jon McNeill to its board.

Ford Motor Co. also recently pulled executive talent from Tesla and Apple with the hiring of Alan Clarke and Doug Field.

GM is in the midst of an effort begun a year ago to hire more than 8,000 people to work in EV, software, autonomous technology and fuel cell development. The automaker has committed $35 billion to AVs and EVs through 2025 and is targeting a zero-emission light-vehicle lineup by 2035.