GM just made big behind-the-scenes move to boost robot cars

General Motors and Honda have announced a partnership to develop an autonomous vehicle for Cruise. (General Motors)

DETROIT: General Motors is moving its No 2 executive, company president Dan Ammann, to be CEO of its self-driving unit, GM Cruise, as it aggressively pushes to bring the robot cars to market next year. 

Starting Jan 1, Ammann, 46, takes the helm of Cruise. Cruise cofounder, Kyle Vogt, 33, stays to lead technology development as Cruise president and chief technology officer.