My Interview with GM CEO Mary Barra
I still can’t believe I get to type these words: I had the absolute honor and privilege of sitting down with Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, for an interview at GM headquarters in Detroit!
Mary started her career at GM as an intern when she was just 18 years old, and today she leads one of the biggest automotive companies in the world. As a mom, a car enthusiast, and someone who has built her career around helping families find the right car, getting to talk with her was a dream come true.
In our conversation, we covered so many topics that are close to my heart, including family-friendly vehicle design, teen driver safety, and the importance of making cars that are both stylish and functional for everyday families.
Of course, we also had to talk about one of my favorite family vehicles—the Chevy Traverse—which was my 2024 Car Mom Car of the Year.
This post is not sponsored. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What Cars Are Under GM?
One thing I’ve realized from talking with so many families is that not everyone knows which cars are actually part of General Motors. GM isn’t just one brand, it’s the parent company for Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. That means when we talk about GM SUVs, we’re talking about a wide range of family SUVs across these four brands:
Buick: Enclave
Cadillac: Escalade, Escalade IQ, Lyriq
So whether you’re shopping for a budget-friendly SUV, a family hauler with three rows, or even a luxury EV, GM has options across the board. I think that’s important for families to know because sometimes you don’t even realize that the cars you’re cross-shopping all fall under the same company.
GM Prioritizes Family-Focused Design
One thing that stood out to me during our conversation was how seriously GM takes customer feedback when designing their vehicles. Mary shared how they listen not only to data, but also to direct feedback from customers and dealers to make each new generation better.
For example, families asked for the car seat tilt function to be available on both sides of the Traverse, and GM listened. We love to see it!!
As a mom of four, I know firsthand how much time parents spend in their cars. For many of us, our vehicle is more than just transportation. I loved hearing Mary acknowledge that families, and especially moms, deserve vehicles that are practical without sacrificing style.
Teen Driver Technology Is Improving.
Another highlight of our conversation was GM’s Teen Driver Technology. If you’re new to it, Teen Driver is built into many GM vehicles (including pre-owned models from recent years) and allows parents to set limits, get a “report card” of their teen’s driving habits, and reinforce safe driving when they aren’t in the car.
As Mary said, teaching kids to drive doesn’t stop once they get their license. I couldn’t agree more. Teen Driver is such a powerful tool for families, not to spy on teens, but to create conversations about safety.
And if you’re interested in exploring some of the safest options for your new driver, I also have a blog on the Best Cars for Teen Drivers, using the IIHS list as a guide. It’s a perfect companion read to this interview!
This was a career highlight!
Walking into that meeting felt surreal from the very beginning. Sitting down with the first female CEO of a major automaker, someone who has worked her way through nearly every level of the company, was an incredible experience. Mary’s story is inspiring not only because of her career success but also because of her commitment to building vehicles that truly make life easier and safer for families.
What made the moment even more meaningful was realizing that she already knew about The Car Mom community. To be recognized in that way was eye opening and such an honor. It felt like a milestone for all of us and a reminder that what this community is building together really matters. Manufacturers are paying attention, and families’ needs are being heard!