Denny Mooney Leaves Holden – Say Hello To Chris Gubbey
May 27, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Our favourite American, GM chief Denny Mooney has been promoted to GM vice president, global vehicle systems and integration and will be moving back to Detroit, Michigan. Taking his place will be new comer Chris Gubbey from GM in Shanghai (China).
The move comes as no surprise given Mr Mooney’s job (the VE Commodore and Holden’s exporting structure) is well and truly complete. Mr Mooney and Mr Gubbey take up their new position as of 1 August 2007.
Denny Mooney has been GM Holden’s chairman and managing director since beginning of 2004 (when he replaced Peter Hanenberger). GM had sent Mr Mooney to oversee the production of the VE Commodore and WM Statesman and Caprice. However the fundenmental reason for his visit was to create an export business strategy which is now the backbone of Holden’s success.
“It has been a privilege to have been involved with such a strong brand as GM Holden. The automotive industry has undergone significant changes in recent years and the passion, skill and dedication of the GM Holden team has created products that are now sold successfully not just in Australia, but all over the world.” Denny Mooney said,
As much as we will miss Mr Mooney, we hope his replacement is more concerned about Holden’s image in Australia.
Chris Gubbey, is currently executive vice president of Shanghai General Motors and this worries us a little bit. Prior to joining GM Holden Mr Mooney was the head of GM Daewoo in Korea and going by Holden’s fondness of Korean cars in the last few years, one has to wonder if Mr Gubbey will have a soft spot for Chinese cars – rebadged as Holden.
Mr Gubbey’s resume:
- Vice President Shanghai GM in 2000,
- Manufacturing director and a member of the board of directors of Vauxhall Motors Ltd in the United Kingdom.
- From 1995 to 1997, he was operations director of GKN Hardy Spicer Ltd.
- Between 1991 and 1995, Gubbey was assistant general manager of Toyota Motor UK Ltd.
How will this affect Australia’s favourite brand? And more importantly why is GM unable to find an Australian to head a company that means a lot to Australia?
Print it: 
I doubt Mr. Gubbey will bring SAIC-GM cars to Australia perhaps WE may gain more Commodore exports to China through Mr. Gubbey ;)
Also if GM are thinking of bringing the Matiz would not that be from Korea ?
Still Chinese and Indian cars will be here very soon :O
great, im really looking forward to that….
Well Mr Gubbey came from Vauxhall UK first, perhaps/hopefully the re-introduction of some European cars, but unlikely :(
Denny Mooney destroyed everything he touched in GM. From developing non-competitive chassis and electrical systems to small cars. The only reason he got to where he is – is because he is buddies with Jim Queen – another GM fool.