April 19, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] GM Korea, the Korean unit of General Motors, announced on Aug. 17 it has named Kaher Kazem, president and managing director of GM India, as its new CEO from Sept. 1.

The new appointment comes after GM announced recently it would stop selling cars in India from year-end. Amid GM’s latest decision to withdraw from some major markets, rumors are piling up about its exit from Korea too. 

Kaher Kazem

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His predecessor James Kim resigned in July, much before his term expires in March next year.

GM Korea has repeated that the US carmaker has no plans to leave Korea.

Kazem began his career with GM in 1995 in Australia and held several key leadership positions in GM Holden Manufacturing Operations. In 2009, he became vice president of manufacturing and quality for GM Thailand and ASEAN. He was appointed president of GM Uzbekistan in 2012. In 2015, he joined GM India as chief operating officer and has been leading the Indian unit as president since 2016.

“I’m excited to lead GM Korea,” Kazem said in a statement. “Chevrolet is a strong brand in Korea. I look forward to building on its success and continuing to put our customers in Korea at the center of everything we do.”

GM Korea said Kazem would serve as chairman of the board of directors as well.

Amid sluggish car sales, the Korean unit has seen nearly 2 trillion won (US$1.77 billion) in losses in the past three years.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)