Normal Motors mentioned Tuesday that it has employed Mike Abbott, who led cloud companies at Apple Inc., to be its govt vice chairman of software program.

Abbott, 50, will start within the newly created position Could 22, reporting to CEO Mary Barra, GM mentioned. He’ll lead a reorganized software program group centered on data and digital expertise, software-defined car and working techniques, and digital enterprise.

Abbott’s rent comes shortly after GM mentioned its upcoming electrical automobiles wouldn’t supply Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The automaker as a substitute plans to implement its personal embedded software program resolution, developed with Google Inc.

“We have now entered the following section of our expertise pushed transformation centered on quickly scaling new EV fashions and our Ultifi software program platform, which can drive quicker innovation and allow new and thrilling buyer experiences,” Barra mentioned in a press release. “Mike’s expertise as a founder and entrepreneur coupled together with his confirmed monitor file creating and delivering a number of the market’s most compelling software-defined options for shoppers and corporations make him a wonderful match at GM.”

Abbott has been vice chairman of engineering for Apple’s cloud companies group, which developed the infrastructure for iCloud and iMessage. He beforehand was basic companion at enterprise capital fund Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the place he labored on investments round cellular and cloud computing, and had roles at Twitter, Palm and Microsoft, GM mentioned.

Abbott was a visiting scholar on the Stanford Synthetic Intelligence Lab at Stanford College, researching pc imaginative and prescient.

His hiring comes as GM continues work on its Ultifi software program platform and the event of software-defined automobiles. The automaker sees software program and subscription companies as a key future income driver.

“I am a product individual at coronary heart, in order the transformation of transportation rapidly accelerates, I do know that software program is the catalyst for redefining experiences for shoppers and enterprises like by no means earlier than,” Abbott mentioned in GM’s assertion. “GM is taking part in a pivotal position on this shift and I am excited to affix the group and convey my expertise in software program to bear to not solely benefit from the large alternatives that lay forward for the corporate however to assist change the world.”

Abbott will oversee groups led by Scott Miller, vice chairman of software program outlined car and working system; Stacy Lynett, vice chairman of data and digital expertise; and Edward Kummer, chief digital officer, all of whom will stay of their roles, GM mentioned.