New GM Southeast Asia chief to focus on pickups, SUVs

A new Thailand-specific variant of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

HECTOR Villareal has been appointed president of General Motors Southeast Asia.

Villareal, whom GM described as a “seasoned executive,” assumes his new post after serving as managing director of GM Russia. In his new role, the executive will focus on growing Chevrolet in Thailand and Southeast Asia, especially focusing on the brand’s Colorado pickup and Trailblazer SUV, GM said in a news release.

Hector Villareal

Villareal will hold office in Bangkok.

GM explained Villarreal was appointed to lead the “important region of Southeast Asia” after Ian Nicholls retired from a 27-year stint with GM.

“Hector brings to Southeast Asia strong commercial acumen from his experiences leading GM businesses and functions in several international markets, including Mexico, Korea, Uzbekistan and Russia. Hector has a deep understanding of our business and a proven track record in building strong stakeholder relationships to maximize performance with our teams, distributors and dealer partners,” said Andy Dunstan, president and managing director at GM International Operations Strategic Markets, Alliances & Distributors.

GM noted Villarreal began his career with the company in 1990 as a manufacturing project engineer and has since held various positions in Mexico, as well as in the US, including as an industrial engineering manager and vehicle line director. He also served as planning and program management director for GM de Mexico.

In 2012, Villarreal joined GM Korea as vice-president of Planning and Program Management, before becoming president and managing director of GM Operations Uzbekistan in 2015. In 2017, he was appointed managing director of GM Russia.

GM said Villarreal is a mechanical engineering graduate of Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the same institution.