DETROIT–General Motors product development chief Mary Barra has been named the company's new CEO, the first female head of a US car company.Barra, 51, will replace Dan Akerson on January 15. Akerson, chairman and CEO, moved up his retirement plans by several months because his wife, Karin, is battling advanced cancer, the company said in a statement yesterday.
With the decision, the GM board separated the board chairman and CEO positions. Barra will get a seat on the board, but Director Theodore (Tim) Solso will succeed Akerson as chairman. Solso formerly was chairman and CEO of engine maker Cummins Inc, and has been on GM's board since June of 2012.
Barra is currently senior vice president for global product development. She's in charge of design, engineering and quality of all of GM's vehicles across the globe and has shepherded most of the company's recent new vehicle introductions.
AP