The global wave of layoffs at American automotive giant General Motors has reached the shores of Israel. Word has it that dozens of employees from its cutting-edge development hub in Herzliya are set to receive their pink slips and have already been summoned for pre-dismissal hearings.
Since its inception in 2008, this center has been at the forefront of pioneering technologies crafted in Israel for the cars of tomorrow. We're talking tech driven by artificial intelligence for driving analysis, state-of-the-art cameras and machine learning. Over 800 developers are stationed in Israel, pouring their expertise into algorithms and software that come to life in real-time on Israel's roads through test vehicles.
Until last year, the helm of General Motors Israel was steered by Gil Golan. He not only established the center but also briefly served as GM's Chief Technology Officer in the U.S. Golan also managed GM's venture capital fund, which invests in Israeli startups focused on transportation technologies.
In a recent venture, General Motors spearheaded a $39 million funding round for Addionics, an Israeli startup revolutionizing vehicle battery performance. Meanwhile, the marketing and sales of GM vehicles in Israel continue through Universal Motors Israel. Insiders convey that these layoffs are part of GM’s global downsizing strategy. American car manufacturers have had a rough ride post-COVID, with supply chain hiccups and parts shortages, and they haven't hit their peak pre-COVID sales just yet.
General Motors Israel responded in a statement: "The company is undergoing an organizational transformation to enable the swift and professional development of advanced systems for future electric, autonomous and connected vehicles. This is a global initiative that includes evaluating job reductions in Israel. The Israeli center continues to recruit for algorithm and software development roles, playing a pivotal part in shaping the future of transportation."