SHANGHAI – Kaher Kazem was appointed executive vice president of SAIC-GM, GM’s manufacturing joint venture with SAIC, effective June 1, 2022. Based in Shanghai, he reports to Julian Blissett, GM executive vice president and president of GM China. Kazem is also a member of the SAIC-GM Executive Committee and its Board of Directors.
“Kaher brings to SAIC-GM extensive international expertise and vast leadership experience in manufacturing, operations and business strategy,” said Blissett. “He will play an important role in driving the continued growth of our global brands in China as the market pivots to an electric and intelligent future.”
Kazem started his career with GM in 1995 in Australia. He held a variety of leadership positions in manufacturing and quality at GM Holden and GM Thailand and ASEAN. From 2012, Kazem led GM’s operations in several international markets, including Uzbekistan, India and Korea. His most recent post was president and CEO of GM Korea, overseeing GM’s wide-ranging operations in the market.
Kazem holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Adelaide and a master’s degree in business administration from La Trobe University.
Kazem succeeded Sam Basile, who repatriated to the U.S. to assume the position of GM vice president of Global Product Programs. During Basile’s three-year tenure at SAIC-GM, he made a tremendous effort to introduce GM’s most advanced technologies to meet the strong demand of China’s tech-savvy consumers, including the state-of-the-art Ultium EV platform and VIP electronic architecture.
“I want to thank Sam for his dedication and leadership at SAIC-GM,” said Blissett. “His contributions are critical for us to strengthen our enduring partnership with SAIC and position the joint venture for long-term success.”
SAIC-GM, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has become a leader in vehicle manufacturing and sales in China. It is playing a key role in GM’s transformation into a platform innovator and supporting its global vision of a future of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun and Wuling brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.
