Words: Richard Edwards
Published 27 August 2026
The executive behind General Motors’ New Zealand line-up of Cadillac EVs, Corvette sports cars and GMSV’s full-size American pickups and SUVs has left the company, with Jess Bala departing as managing director for Australia and New Zealand after a two-decade GM career.
Greg Rowe, GM’s director of sales and operations for the region, steps in as acting managing director.
“Following an accomplished two-decade career with General Motors, Managing Director of GM Australia and New Zealand, Jess Bala, has elected to depart the company,” a GM spokesperson says.
“In her time as GM Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Jess drove the growth of our world-class portfolio, including Cadillac EVs, Corvette and full-size trucks and SUVs. We thank Jess for her contribution to the business and wish her well in her future endeavours.”
Bala led GM’s local operation from September 2023, a period that reshaped what the company sells here. With Holden wound down, GM’s presence now spans Cadillac’s electric range headed by the Lyriq, the Corvette, and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Yukon Denali sold through GMSV, with Cadillac opening its Auckland brand experience centre and expanding its retail footprint across the Tasman during her tenure.
The first woman to lead GM in Australia and New Zealand, Bala started with the company at Holden straight out of university before a decade in Detroit, including a stint as chief of staff to GM chair and chief executive Mary Barra and a senior Cadillac product strategy role, where she was closely involved in the brand’s shift to electric vehicles and the Lyriq’s launch.
GM has not said when a permanent replacement will be named.
