Kyle Vogt, CEO of GM’s autonomous vehicle arm, Cruise, has resigned following a safety review of the U.S. fleet. This decision comes a day after Vogt publicly apologised for a recent incident involving a self-driving taxi in a collision that left a pedestrian injured.
Cruise temporarily halted all U.S. testing this month for the safety review, signalling a commitment to addressing concerns. Vogt, in an email to staff, took responsibility, stating, “There are no excuses, and there is no sugar coating what has happened. We need to double down on safety, transparency, and community engagement.”
In a subsequent email, Vogt announced his resignation, offering minimal explanation. “I have resigned from my position. The last 10 years have been amazing, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped Cruise along the way.”
This development is a setback for Cruise and the broader autonomous vehicle industry, which relies on public trust and regulatory cooperation. Cruise had ambitious plans for expanding autonomous taxi services, competing with Alphabet’s Waymo.
Cruise’s recent troubles include the California DMV ordering the removal of its driverless cars from state roads in November, citing safety risks and alleged misrepresentation of technology safety.
Vogt’s departure and the ongoing safety review are crucial for Cruise to regain public confidence and address regulatory concerns. The autonomous vehicle industry faces pivotal moments, emphasising safety and transparency. Vogt’s exit marks a turning point for Cruise, and industry observers will closely monitor how the company navigates these challenges under new leadership.