My dad's company used the same strategy to get rid of their "undesirables". Quietly flag the naysayers, whistleblowers, or anyone who went against the grain, wait until a wider lay-off occurs, and then prioritize their departure.
Organizations have short memories, except when it comes to grudges.
Is there any evidence whatsoever that GM would have considered Hemanth Kappanna an "undesirable"?
As far as I know, they hired him after his participation in exposing the VW scandal. If this exposing is what made him "undesirable", why did they hire him in the first place?
I find it more believable that this is just the usual outcome of corporate restructuring, i.e. layoffs in units.
Organizations have short memories, except when it comes to grudges.