GM chairman to become permanent CEO: Source

DETROIT: A person briefed on the decision says General Motors Co chairman Ed Whitacre Jr will be named permanent CEO of the automaker.

Whitacre, who has been serving as interim CEO since December 1, has scheduled a news conference for 11:30 am Eastern Monday at the company's headquarters in Detroit.

The person asked not to be identified because the announcement has not been made.

Whitacre took the interim CEO post when the board ousted former CEO Fritz Henderson. The company hired a search firm to find a permanent replacement.

GM says Whitacre will give an update on the company's business activities at the news conference.