Mr Stracke has spent 32 years with GM and has led global vehicle engineering for the last year and a half.

Mr Stracke will also be nominated as chairman of the Management Board of Adam Opel AG. He will report to Nick Reilly who continues as the head of GM’s European operations and will be nominated to chair the Opel Supervisory Board. Mr Reilly will also oversee Chevrolet and Cadillac in Europe. 

'The European market and our European operations are important to General Motors, and these moves will ensure that we have the best leadership in place as we continue toward growth and profitability,' said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and chief executive officer.

Mr Reilly added: 'As he [Stracke] gets his feet on the ground more, it will allow me some more time to look at the long-term strategic positioning in Europe.'

Mr Stracke will be replaced by John Calabrese, executive director Global Vehicle Engineering, who joined GM in 1981 and held several key leadership positions in GM’s global engineering operations.

Earlier this month, GM announced the resignation of Chris Liddell, GM's chief financial officer, who has been succeeded by Dan Ammann.