DETROIT and WASHINGTON -

After General Motors made the announcement this morning that Mary Barra will become its new chief executive officer in January, social media and the auto business was abuzz with the news.

Barra, who will become the first woman ever to head up GM or any other major U.S. automaker, reports say, was one of the top trending topics on Twitter this morning, as well-wishers offered their congratulations to this highly respected product chief via social media and other avenues.

Her work leading the “product renaissance” at GM is just one of the qualities that Edmunds.com senior analyst Michelle Krebs honed in on when sharing her reaction to Barra’s new role in comments Edmunds provided to the media.

“I never thought I'd see the day that a woman would head a car company — much less the biggest car company in America. But Mary Barra's elevation to CEO of General Motors is not just about filling a female quota. Mary is an extremely competent automotive executive who has proven herself repeatedly,” Krebs said.

“She came up through the manufacturing ranks — a difficult way to climb the corporate ladder for anyone, but especially for women,” Krebs continued.

“She is highly regarded internally as an effective leader who gets the job done. As head of product development, she has led a GM product renaissance. Consider that six of the 24 entries for the North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year are from GM this year.”

Edmunds senior analyst Bill Visnic added: “After a long run of CEOs with financial backgrounds and orientations, the company is once again choosing an engineer for its top role. The company hasn't done that since Bob Stempel was boss and it could be interpreted as a signal that GM believes it's as much a car-making company as a money-making company.

“I think it's an important signal that as GM sheds the last of its financially-focused baggage, it's choosing an engineer to start a new era and frame the company's revised vision,” he continued.

Kelley Blue Book leadership shared their response, as well.

“It’s great to see a female lead the largest automaker in the world.  GM is in more than capable hands as we’ve seen some of the best products released under Mary Barra, who has helped to oversee the development of their vehicles on a global scale,” said Jared Rowe, KBB president.

“Now that the company has also been freed from government ownership, Mary has the opportunity to see the company continue to develop vehicles that consumers want to drive while improving its continued profitability.”

Senior analyst Karl Brauer added: “What a tremendous culmination of Mary Barra's career at GM. As someone who started with the company as an intern in 1980, she has truly climbed the corporate ladder through dedication and hard work.

“Her history and performance across multiple departments at General Motors has clearly given Dan Ackerson and the board tremendous confidence in her ability to successfully lead the largest U.S. automaker,” Brauer added.

News of Barra's appointment came the morning after the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it had sold all of its remaining shares of common stock in the automaker.

In a statement released Monday, Treasury said it has now recouped $39 million from its original investment in GM. Treasury had invested $49.5 billion in GM between 2008 and 2009.

“The President’s leadership in responding to the financial crisis helped stabilize the auto industry, and prevent another Great Depression. With the final sale of GM stock, this important chapter in our nation’s history is now closed,” said Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.    

“The President understood that inaction could have cost the broader economy more than one million jobs, billions in lost personal savings, and significantly reduced economic production,” he added. “As a result of his efforts, which built on those of the previous Administration, more than 370,000 new auto jobs have been created, and all three U.S. automakers are profitable, competitive, and growing.”

More on Barra Appointment & Other GM Moves

As for the logistics of its next leadership transition, GM said current chairman and chief executive officer Dan Akerson is retiring on Jan. 15.

Barra was elected by the board of directors for the CEO post and will also join the board. Appointed by the board to serve as chairman is Theodore Solso, who is the former chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc.

Solso has been on the GM board since June 2012.

Additionally, executive vice president and chief financial officer Dan Ammann was named president. He takes on duties overseeing company’s regional operations across the globe. The global Chevrolet and Cadillac brand organizations and GM Financial will also report to him.

“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,” Akerson said in a message to employees.

Barra added:  “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. I'm honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”

The company noted that Ammann will remain CFO at least through the company releasing its fourth-quarter and full-year 2013 results in early February; a replacement will be named later.

Meanwhile, Mark Reuss, 50, executive vice president and president, North America, will take on Barra’s role as executive vice president, global product development, purchasing and supply chain.  

Alan Batey, currently senior vice president, global Chevrolet and U.S. sales and marketing, moves into Reuss’ role as executive vice president and president, North America.

Additionally, Steve Girsky, vice chairman of corporate strategy, business development and global product planning, is moving to a senior advisor until April, when he will leave the company. He will remain on the GM’s board.

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