Dec 13 (Reuters) - General Motors said on Wednesday Doug Parks, who leads the automaker's global product development team, would retire after nearly four decades with the company during which he played a key role in its electrification strategy.

During his tenure, Parks has overseen teams that are responsible for developing GM's EV architecture and the engineering group behind its self-driving unit, Cruise.

GM also named executives Ken Morris and Josh Tavel to new leadership roles in its product development team, which will now be under its president, Mark Reuss.

The changes are effective Jan. 2 and come at a time when GM has been struggling to launch its next-generation EVs amid lower-than-expected demand and deals with a crisis at Cruise.

GM CEO Barra had previously said she was "disappointed" with

EV production this year

due to difficulties with battery module assembly.

"We've spent years preparing GM to transition to an all-electric future, and Doug's leadership has been pivotal," Barra said in a statement on Wednesday. (Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)