Google Inc. is bringing in John Krafcik, the veteran TrueCar, Ford and Hyundai executive, to head its self-driving car program, presenting the clearest sign yet of Google’s broad commercial aspirations for the project.
Krafcik, 53, a manufacturing expert and a fan of disruptive technology, comes to Google from car-shopping service TrueCar Inc., where he has been president since April 2014. Before that he was CEO of Hyundai Motor America from 2008 to 2013, guiding the Korean automaker through a period of rapid growth.
In Krafcik, Google gains a well-known and widely respected executive with ties across the global auto industry, which could help the tech company solidify relationships with suppliers and other partners as it seeks to scale up its effort.
