On the Dash:
- Steve Hill moves to a new global role to drive exports and retail innovation, while John Roth takes over GM China operations.
- Leadership changes aim to continue GM China’s turnaround and Cadillac’s global resurgence, highlighting the company’s international growth strategy.
- Kristian Aquilina will lead Global Cadillac, leveraging past success in GM Canada and international operations to strengthen the brand worldwide.
General Motors announced a series of leadership changes designed to support the ongoing turnaround of GM China, advance Cadillac’s global resurgence, and expand exports worldwide.
Steve Hill, currently GM senior vice president and president of GM China, will assume a newly created role as GM senior vice president of Global Export and Retail Innovation, reporting to Rory Harvey, GM executive vice president and president of GM Global Markets. Hill’s new position, effective December 1, will focus on accelerating exports by leveraging GM’s global manufacturing footprint, strong brands, and local distribution networks.
During his tenure in China, Hill led a successful business turnaround, with GM China posting positive equity income for four consecutive quarters and standing out as the only global automaker to increase market share in 2025. Hill’s extensive experience includes leadership roles across global marketing, sales, and aftersales, including vice president of U.S. Sales, Service and Marketing, and global vice president of Customer Care and Aftersales.
John Roth, who currently serves as vice president of Global Cadillac, will succeed Hill as GM senior vice president and president of GM China, reporting to Harvey. Roth has been instrumental in Cadillac’s resurgence, helping the brand become the fastest-growing luxury automaker and the top-selling luxury EV brand in the United States. Under his leadership, Cadillac expanded its global footprint, secured entry into Formula 1, and developed a luxury-of-choice product portfolio. Roth’s international experience includes leadership roles in Africa, the Middle East, and Canada, where he has driven strategic growth and operational improvements.
Effective January 1, Kristian Aquilina, president and managing director of GM Canada, will succeed Roth as vice president of Global Cadillac, reporting to Duncan Aldred, GM senior vice president and president of North America. Aquilina has led GM Canada to the top-selling automaker position for 2023 and 2024, including the number one spot for EV sales. He has overseen major investments in next-generation production facilities at Oshawa and St. Catharines and guided the Canadian Technical Center’s global engineering, software, and innovation initiatives.
Roth will oversee both GM China and Global Cadillac until January 1, ensuring a seamless transition. A replacement for Aquilina at GM Canada will be announced at a later date.
With 28 years at General Motors, Aquilina has held leadership roles spanning sales, service, marketing, and business unit management, including serving as managing director of GM Holden in Australia and New Zealand and overseeing Cadillac International operations in the Middle East. Hill and Roth’s appointments reflect GM’s commitment to leveraging global talent and operational excellence to achieve sustainable growth in key regions.
