Fritz Henderson resigned today as CEO of General Motors Co., the company announced.
Henderson, who had been on the job for some eight months, resigned today, and will be replaced on an interim basis by GM Board Chairman Edward Whitacre while a search for a new president and CEO is conducted.
Henderson guided GM through the automaker's 39-day bankruptcy this summer after replacing the ousted Rick Wagoner in late March.
"Fritz has done a remarkable job in leading the company through an unprecedented period of challenge and change. While momentum has been building over the past several months, all involved agree that changes needed to be made," Whitacre said. "To this end, I have taken over the role of Chairman and CEO while an international search for a new president and CEO begins immediately. With these new duties, I will begin working in the Renaissance Center headquarters on a daily basis. The leadership team – many who are with me today – are united and committed to the task at hand.
"I want to assure all of our employees, dealers, suppliers, union partners and most of all, our customers, that GM's daily business operations will continue as normal. I remain more convinced than ever that our company is on the right path and that we will continue to be a leader in offering the worldwide buying public the highest quality, highest value cars and trucks. We now need to accelerate our progress toward that goal, which will also mean a return to profitability and repaying the American and Canadian taxpayers as soon as possible."