JP Clausen brings auto, tech experience to GM manufacturing

To get up to speed as General Motors' new top manufacturing executive, JP Clausen didn't just make perfunctory visits to the automaker's assembly plants, he spent time working on the heavy-duty pickup line in Flint, Mich.

Clausen worked in the auto industry before, opening electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla's first gigafactory in Nevada, but said his experience wasn't in final assembly. So working alongside GM's hourly employees in Flint, he said, helped him understand their jobs.

"I definitely enjoy hands-on experiences, and joining the workforce is important for me to understand what they are dealing with every day," he told Automotive News. "I definitely learned a lot about how it is seen from our workforce perspective."

Clausen joined GM in April as executive vice president of global manufacturing and sustainability, succeeding Gerald Johnson, who will retire at year end. Clausen brings varied career experiences to the role — besides Tesla, he spent about 14 years at toy company Lego and worked for technology giant Google's data centers.

He said he was attracted to GM, in part, because of its commitment to an all-electric vehicle future and the chance to join an industry undergoing rapid transition.

His blend of manufacturing and technology experience arrives at a critical time for GM. The company continues to invest in its internal combustion portfolio while ramping up production of EVs on its Ultium battery platform. At the same time, GM is building out a software team to advance its efforts around in-vehicle services and connectivity.

"I really liked the automotive industry. I liked the pace," Clausen said. "I liked being a part of a physical product, but I also liked the fact that in the moment, the whole industry is changing, and being a part of such a transformation is important for me."

Automakers have taken different approaches to electrification, though slower-than-expected EV growth in the U.S. has prompted GM and many competitors to scale back or delay some investments. While GM plans to bring plug-in hybrids to the market in 2027, it has emphasized a flexible manufacturing strategy that allows it to produce gasoline-powered or electric vehicles as demand requires.

Johnson, who has been at GM for more than 40 years, told Automotive News in July that the manufacturing leadership transition to Clausen has been "well-planned and timed-out" to ensure the change does not cause a loss of momentum.

Johnson said bringing in leaders from outside GM broadens the scope of ideas and experiences at its disposal. CEO Mary Barra, in a statement announcing Clausen's hire, said his "unique expertise in global manufacturing innovation, engineering, and operations will accelerate our ability to deliver on our vision for GM with the highest-quality vehicles for our customers."

Clausen said each point in his career has taught him something that will be relevant to GM's manufacturing strategy — at Lego, the importance of quality and precision; at Tesla, electric propulsion systems; and at Google, software and technology.

"The combination between quality, automotive and technology have actually helped me quite a bit get started here at GM," Clausen said, adding that he also has learned from Johnson and from his plant visits.

One of Clausen's goals is to expand the use of technology in manufacturing, including to help improve employees' work experience. Automation can be used to improve ergonomics, such as picking and mounting heavy parts on a vehicle to reduce the strain on employees, he said, while an imagery recognition tool checks paint quality.

"We want to make a safe environment for everyone, both for the driver and for the employees," he said. "So I spent quite a bit of time to understand our safety procedures and processes."

Clausen said he envisions expanded use of digital twins, which can be used to simulate factory layouts to help find ways that technology can improve employees' jobs.

"I truly believe that humans and machines should work together," he said, "and we should actually use technology to help make our life better."