DETROIT — In a surprise announcement, General Motors said late Tuesday that Fritz Henderson has resigned as director, president and CEO, effective immediately. Chairman Ed Whitacre said he has taken over as chairman and CEO while a search for a new president and CEO gets underway. "I remain more convinced than ever that our company is on the right path," Whitacre said in a statement.
He thanked Henderson for his "many contributions" but emphasized, "All involved agree that changes needed to be made." He did not otherwise explain the departure of Henderson.
The Detroit News quoted GM spokesman Chris Preuss as saying the U.S. government was not involved in the decision to have Henderson step down but was made by GM's board of directors. The paper also said "numerous candidates" for the position of chief financial officer at GM who have been interviewed recently will now be considered for the position of CEO.
The ongoing tempest over plans to sell off Opel, Vauxhall and Saab had dominated headlines in recent weeks, but there is no word on whether any of those issues were the final straw leading to Henderson's departure.
Inside Line says: Henderson goes the way of Wagoner, and the troubles at General Motors go on. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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