General Motors (GM) chief executive Dan Akerson would step down next month and be replaced by Mary Barra, its global product development chief, the company said on Tuesday, marking the first time a major US car manufacturer has been led by a woman.
The company said that Akerson, who is also the chairman, would leave on January 15, pulling ahead his planned departure by several months. His wife was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer.
Barra, 51, the executive vice-president for global product development, purchasing and supply chain, will become a director. Theodore Solso, 66, will succeed Akerson, 65, as GM’s chairman. – Reuters