GM company said today that Mary Barra will succeed current CEO Dan Akerson, who will retire coming January. That means that Barra will become the first female CEO to lead a global car company.

In a statement Barra said, "With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today's GM." She added, "I'm honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed."

In a message to employees, Akerson stated, "I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America's standard bearer in the global auto industry."

Barra started with General Motors in 1980 as an electrical engineering student. Previously, she had been Vice President, Global Human Resources. In 2011, Barra was named Senior Vice President, Global Product Development.

Akerson held positions of CEO and chairman, however, GM stated that those two positions will go separately. A former chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc, Theodore Solso, who has been General Motors board member since summer 2012, will become company's chairman.

Akerson heads for the retirement earlier due to his wife's health as she was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer. 

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