DETROIT – Common Motors has employed former Apple government Mike Abbott to steer a newly created software program unit for the Detroit automaker.

Abbott, former vice chairman of engineering for Apple’s Cloud Providers division, will be part of GM as government vice chairman of software program, efficient Could 22. He’ll report back to GM CEO Mary Barra.

Abbott’s newly created function will carry collectively three separate capabilities inside the firm: software-defined car and working techniques; info and digital expertise; and the corporate’s digital enterprise.

Software program, particularly monetizing it, is a significant focus for automakers equivalent to GM, as they eye reoccurring income alternatives equivalent to subscriptions to spice up income.

GM has a goal to develop revenue margins and double its income to about $280 billion by the top of this decade. That features important development in new enterprise items and software program.

“Mike’s expertise as a founder and entrepreneur coupled along with his confirmed observe report creating and delivering a few of the market’s most compelling software-defined options for customers and firms make him a superb match at GM,” Barra stated in an announcement.

At Apple, Abbott was the highest government answerable for cloud initiatives, together with iCloud and infrastructure for providers like iMessage and FaceTime. It was reported in March that he deliberate to depart the tech large.

Abbott, in an announcement Tuesday, stated: “I do know that software program is the catalyst for redefining experiences for customers and enterprises like by no means earlier than.”

He characterised software program as a “large” alternative for the corporate.