GM Names New Chief for China

General Motors Co. says Matthew Tsien will replace Bob Socia as president of its Chinese unit on Jan. 1.

Socia, 59, is retiring after 15 months in the post and 38 years with GM.

Tsien, 53, currently is a vice president at GM China. He is a 37-year veteran at GM who helped the company negotiate its joint venture with SAIC Motor Corp. He also was executive vice president in 2009-2012 of the SAIC-GM-Wuling partnership.

In his new role, Tsien will become part of the GM Executive Operations Committee and report to CEO Dan Akerson. GM says it will announce Tsien's successor later.