Bombardier hires GM veteran to head commercial aircraft unit

Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B-T) has hired veteran General Motors Co. executive Mike Arcamone away from the auto maker to take on the post of president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Arcamone's most recent position at GM (GM-N) was head of its South Korean operations. The Montreal native spent more than 30 years at GM.

He replaces Gary Scott as president of the Bombardier division, which is in a critical period of development of its new C Series narrow-bodied airplane, which will challenge Boeing Co. and Airbus SAS in the largest segment of the commercial aircraft market.

Arcamone worked at GM with Guy Hachey, president and chief operating officer of Bombardier Aerospace.

The first flight of the C Series is scheduled for later this year.