• The Detroit Bureau, Friday, December 2, 2011 10:37 AM

Barely 18 months after heading to China as the new marketing chief for General Motors’ huge International Operations, Susan Docherty is again on the move, this time getting her ticket for Germany where she will take over as the new president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe.

While some industry analysts were surprised by the move and question whether it is a demotion or promotion others suggest it shows the high regard Docherty has earned as a corporate trouble-shooter.  GM this year reversed earlier expectations of achieving a long-awaited turnaround after a nearly $300 million third-quarter loss. Chevrolet brand is the silver lining in the European cloud.  Introduced relatively recently, the brand has targeted the lower end of the Continental market and found a solid niche in the process, becoming one of the region’s fastest-growing nameplates with sales up in 11 countries during the first nine months of 2011 despite Europe’s continuing economic problems.

Docherty will take over from Wayne Brannon, who will retire after 38 years with GM.  His departure marks the latest move in an ongoing shake-up triggered by GM Europe’s unexpected $292 million loss for the third quarter.

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