And now… a message from Rick Wagoner

Posted: Mar 30, 2009
Filed under: GM, Industry News

Rick Wagoner has released an official statement as he steps aside as Chief Executive Officer of General Motors.

GM Message from Rick Wagoner

On Friday I was in Washington for a meeting with Administration officials.  In the course of that meeting, they requested that I “step aside” as CEO of GM, and so I have.

Fritz Henderson is an excellent choice to be the next CEO of GM.  Having worked closely with Fritz for many years, I know that he is the ideal person to lead the company through the completion of our restructuring efforts.  His knowledge of the global industry and the company are exceptional, and he has the intellect, energy, and support among GM’ers worldwide to succeed.  I wish him well, and I stand ready to support him, and interim Non-Executive Chairman Kent Kresa, in every way possible.

I also want to extend my sincerest thanks to everyone who supported GM and me during my time as CEO.  I deeply appreciate the excellent counsel and commitment of the GM Board and the strong support of our many partners including our terrific dealers, suppliers, and community leaders. I am grateful as well to the union leaders with whom I have had the chance to work closely to implement numerous tough but necessary restructuring agreements. 

Most important of all I want to express my deepest appreciation to the extraordinary team of GM employees around the world.  You have been a tremendous source of inspiration and pride to me, and I will be forever grateful for the courage and commitment you have shown as we have confronted the unprecedented challenges of the past few years.  GM is a great company with a storied history.  Ignore the doubters because I know it is also a company with a great future.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

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  • LJSearles
    Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
  • JVC
    The irony is that the people that pay taxes - specifically those that have brains to not take on a risky mortgage thus not requiring the rest of us to bail them out - are more and more out of favor with buying anything GM or Chrysler.

    So not only are we throwing money to a problem that GM or Chrysler have not been able to resolve in the last 20 years (produce good cars and be profitable doing it) but we are doing so KNOWING that their chance for survival keeps decreasing each day from their basement level.
  • zermatt
    I had hoped that Wagoner had resigned out of realization that it was time to go.

    To have the government essentially fire you - the leader of a publicly traded company - is a frightening thing.

    It is clear that with lending money the government expects complete control.

    Maybe Fritz will be replaced by an Obama appointed Green or labor hack like Ron Bloom?
  • GMfan87
    very scary indeed...
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