In case you missed it yesterday, GM Chairman Rick Wagoner announced some organizational changes that are going to help GM move even closer to operating as one truly global auto company, instead of four quasi-independent regional ones.

Rick is taking over GM’s North American operations himself; I will focus 100 percent of my time on my role as the head of global product development; and Gary Cowger will focus 100 percent of his time on his role as the head of global manufacturing and labor relations.

I suggested to Rick recently that I relinquish my title of chairman of GM North America so that I could concentrate entirely on the development of our new cars and trucks for all our global markets. I just couldn’t do that job the way it should be done while also having responsibility for GMNA.

And so we have gotten another step closer to doing things the way a successful global automaker should be doing them. We have now globalized engineering, design, procurement, information systems and manufacturing, with global operating and capital budgets.

It’s good for the company, and good for me. I can now direct my full energies to the area where I can make the biggest difference. I expected headlines along the lines of "Lutz and Cowger moved aside as GM slides." Such spin misses the point, but bothers me not at all.

Thanks for your feedback, and keep watching this space for more on our new vehicles.