GM chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre is to step down with Dan Akerson taking over from 1 September and as chairman at the end of the year.

“This transition has been in process and when he [Whitacre] took the postilion, it was with the understanding it was not for ever,” a GM spokesman in Detroit told just-auto.

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“He is at an age and point in his career [when] it would not be a long-term position. The decision was announced today we would begin the long-term transition.”

Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl said: “This seems to be about the IPO. GM wants the issue of succession planning off the table.”

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