GM hires new head of strategy from Lucid Motors

• Reuters

• Published On Feb 10, 2026 at 04:48 PM IST

Claudia Gast.

“>

General ‍Motors has hired an executive from electric-vehicle startup ⁠Lucid Motors to lead corporate strategy, a role that will include scouting for partnerships with ‌technology companies.

GM ‌said on Monday that Claudia Gast will ‌be the automaker’s deputy chief financial officer and vice president of strategy, corporate development and technology partnerships. Gast will start March 1 and report to GM CEO Mary Barra for strategy ‌and CFO ‍Paul Jacobson for corporate ‍development and technology partnerships.

Many automakers are hiring ‌executives from EV startups and technology companies as they navigate major technological changes to their businesses, including electrification, automated driving and software-centric vehicles. In an expanded role, Gast will ‍be taking over for Zach Kirkman, a former Tesla executive who ‍joined ⁠GM in ⁠2023. Kirkman is departing the company for other opportunities, a company spokesperson said. Gast was most recently the senior vice president of strategy and business development at Lucid. She was also previously head of strategy at defense contractor AM General.

Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals.

Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox.

All about ETAuto industry right on your smartphone!

• Download the ETAuto App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles.