GM vice chairman, Steve Girsky, currently chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board, will serve as acting head of GM’s European operations as the company searches for a replacement. The supervisory board of Adam Opel AG will be convened soon to appoint an interim chairman of the management board.

Stracke was president, GM Europe and chairman of the management board of Adam Opel, in charge of all Opel/Vauxhall operations. He led the effort to put Opel/Vauxhall on a path toward sustained profitability in the midst of a massive European economic downturn.

‘Karl Stracke worked tirelessly, under great pressure, to stabilize this business and we look forward to building on his success. We appreciate Karl’s many contributions to GM’s success,’ said Akerson.

‘I am leaving my current position knowing that Opel/Vauxhall has a bright future and I am looking forward to taking on new challenges for GM and Dan Akerson,’ Stracke commented.