US automaker General Motors plans to hire 3,000 new employees to strengthen its engineering, design and IT divisions, the company announced on Monday.

The hiring is expected to take place from now through to the first quarter of 2021 and will be largely focused on software development. GM’s stated aim for the hiring drive is “to increase diversity and inclusion and contribute to GM’s EV and customer experience priorities.” The company also said that it plans to include more opportunities for remote work.

“As we evolve and grow our software expertise and services, it’s important that we continue to recruit and add diverse talent,” said GM President Mark Reuss in the release. "This will clearly show that we’re committed to further developing the software we need to lead in EVs, enhance the customer experience and become a software expertise-driven workforce."

Ken Morris, GM Vice President of Autonomous and Electric Vehicles Programs, said in a call with reporters on Monday that GM has accelerated the development of at least two upcoming electric vehicles following the debut of its GMC Hummer EV, which debuted in October.

“We’re moving as fast as we can in terms of developing vehicles virtually, more so than we ever have by far,” Morris said, adding: “We are doing things virtually, more effective than we ever have.”

Earlier this year, GM said that it planned to invest $20 billion in its new generation of electric and autonomous vehicles by 2025.

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Shares in GM reached $39.72 ahead of the announcement on Monday, a 52-week high. The stock rose 5% in early Monday trading following investor optimism over a promising COVID-19 vaccine and President-elect Joe Biden’s supportive policies on electric vehicle development.