Henderson out at GM

General Motors has announced that its president and CEO, Fritz Henderson, (above left) has resigned. He is the second head of GM to leave this year, following Rick Wagoner who was ousted by the Obama Administration during the automaker’s bankruptcy proceeding in March.

There’s no official word from GM why Henderson, 51, is leaving, but reportedly, part of the reason stems from the failed attempts to sell the Saturn and Saab brands, plus pulling out of a deal to sell the European Opel division to Canada’s Magna International last month.

In the interim, chairman Ed Whitacre (above right) will take the reigns at GM “while an international search for a new president and CEO begins immediately.”

Said Whitacre: “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… 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.”