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Former Cadillac boss Butler takes Ford tech job

When Don Butler made the surprising decision to leave his post as Cadillac's VP of global strategic development, it was a surprise. Citing a desire to "recalibrate, reassess my priorities" in that August announcement, it wasn't entirely clear where Butler - a virtual General Motors lifer after spending nearly 30 years with the company - would end up. Turns out he took a trip to Dearborn.
Butler has taken a position in the newly created position of Executive Director of Connected Vehicles and Services at Ford, where he'll be responsible for the Blue Oval's global connectivity strategy. "Not only does Don understand the connected car landscape, but probably just as important, he understands customer expectations," said Raj Nair, who, as Group Vice President of Global Product Development, is Butler's new boss. "Having a leader with technology experience both inside and outside the industry is a rare combination - we're excited to have Don join our team."
As Ford has received its fair share of flak for the sometimes recalcitrant MyFord Touch infotainment system and its Sync voice-controls, it appears that Butler has his work cut out for him.

GM admits goal of 500,000 EVs by 2017 won't be met

After a little over four years of Chevy Volt sales, General Motors has a better handle on how many people it expects will buy cars with plugs. And it's less than the company thought back in 2012, when then-senior vice president of global product development, Mary Barra, said that GM expected to sell 500,000 "vehicles with electrification" by 2017. In a sustainability report released this week, GM says that half-million vehicle target will not be met but that it still, "believes the future is electric." In the report, GM says that, "For our commitment to electrification, our forecasted outlook currently projects us, along with the broader automotive industry, falling short of expectations for 2017. ... We continue to aspire to our stated goal." GM's electric lineup includes the Volt, the recently popular Spark EV, the slow-selling Cadillac ELR and upcoming Malibu Hybrid, CT6 plug-in hybrid and eAssist technology in the Buick LaCrosse and Regal. GM says it has 180,834 electrified vehicles on the road in the US today. In 2013, it had 153,034; 95,578 in 2012, and 39,843 in 2011. The company's next big plug-in vehicle will be the second-gen Chevy Volt, which is coming to market later this year, followed by the 200-mile Bolt EV coming, we think, in 2017. GM Employees on Mission to Transform Transportation Sustainability report outlines vehicle and manufacturing progress; sets new targets 2015-05-07 DETROIT – General Motors' just-released sustainability report chronicles efforts by the company's 216,000 employees to live out GM's newly defined purpose and values by earning customer loyalty, applying meaningful technology advances and improving the communities where it does business. These actions – led by CEO Mary Barra – further drive sustainability into the company's culture through building safer and smarter vehicles with less environmental impact. "GM will take a leading role in the auto industry's transformation as it undergoes an unprecedented period of change," said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president, GM Global Public Policy. "From GM's labs to its assembly lines, our people are driving the world to a better place through improved mobility." The company believes the future is electric, with billions of investment to support an all-in-house approach to the development and manufacturing of electrified vehicles. It now counts 180,834 on the road in the U.S – up from 153,034 in 2013.

Book by Cadillac is like a streaming service for cars

Cadillac is launching a subscription-based service that gives users access to most of its models for a flat fee of $1,500 a month. Called Book by Cadillac, the program starts in February in New York City and its surrounding areas. Cadillac's goal: attract users who want flexibility without the costs and commitment of ownership. The monthly fee is steep, but Cadillac argues it's competitive with the cost of leasing a well-equipped luxury car. It also includes maintenance, taxes, and insurance fees. The Book service can also be stopped at any time, which frees users from any payments. There's no restrictions on mileage, though users pay for gas either by filling up the car when they're done with it or through a Caddy concierge who bills their account. Cadillac will deliver and pick up the vehicles from the user's choice of location via a white-gloved driver. Users can change vehicles up to 18 times per year, and they can be reserved with a mobile app. The theoretical goal is a Book user could head to the airport in New York in a Cadillac and reserve another one for their use in Los Angeles. Cadillac ran a test program last year and decided to move forward with Book after receiving a positive response on the price and features. "The overwhelming result is this is something competitive," spokesman Eneuri Acosta said. The program features the Escalade, Escalade ESV, CT6, CTS-V, ATS-V, and XT5 decked-out in Platinum trim. Other vehicles, like the non-V-series ATS or CTS could be added if there's demand. Book by Cadillac starts in New York, but will expand to other unspecified markets. Related Video: