DETROIT - General Motors announced sweeping changes to its North American leadership team, effective immediately.

Mark Reuss, GM North America president, said the changes to the leadership team represented "a better way to structure this organization."

"The premise of the structure is simple - a clearer marketing focus to sell more vehicles, and freeing our sales and service experts to focus on customers and dealers," he said.

Marketing Organization

Susan Docherty is appointed vice president, U.S. marketing, reporting to Reuss. Senior executives reporting to Docherty, responsible for the marketing of their respective brands include:

• Jim Campbell, U.S. marketing vice president, Chevrolet;

• Don Butler, U.S. marketing vice president, Cadillac. Butler rejoins the company from INRIX; and,

• John Schwegman, U.S. marketing vice president, Buick-GMC. Schwegman was most recently Chevrolet product marketing director.

Sales Operations

Alan Batey vice president, sales and service, Chevrolet, will report to Reuss. GM said a replacement for Batey will be named at a later date. Also reporting to Reuss will be:

• Brian Sweeney, U.S. sales and service vice president, Buick-GMC

• Kurt McNeil, U.S. sales and service vice president, Cadillac. McNeil was previously general sales manager, Chevrolet.

Steve Carlisle is appointed vice president, U.S. sales operations, responsible for dealer network, retail sales support and fleet & commercial. Senior executives reporting to Carlisle, responsible for their respective functions include:

• Jim Bunnell, general director, network support; and

• Brian Small, general manager, fleet & commercial;

• A general manager, retail sales support will be named at a later date.

Other Key North American Organizations

In addition to direct lines for marketing and sales, the following key North American organizations will report directly to Reuss: Chris Preuss, vice president and president, OnStar; Kevin Williams, president and managing director, GM Canada; and Steve Hill, general manager, GM customer care and aftersales.

Selim Bingol, 49, was appointed as vice president of communications, effective March 8. He will have overall responsibility for GM's global communications, including global products and brands, corporate, public policy, executive support, and internal communications. He will report to Ed Whitacre, chairman and CEO.

Bingol succeeds Chris Preuss, who was appointed vice president and president, OnStar, to lead the company's global infotainment and connectivity initiatives.