GM's new chief optimistic on steering the company to health

03 April 2009

In his first week as president and chief executive officer of General Motors, Fritz Henderson expressed optimism  about being able to steer the company out of the economic rut in which it has stalled.He is hopeful the company's malaise won't be long-term.

In an inteview with CNN Today host Kristie Lu Stout, Henderson said, "The challenges are immense but, you know, let's bring it on," Henderson said Wednesday.

The 50-year-old GM lifer said the company has plenty going for it, from workers to dealers to customers, "so we need to get the job done. It's that simple."

The federal government has given him 60 days to restructure the deeply indebted company if he wants to get federal funds to keep it in business.

"It's painful," he said. "We have to make sacrifices everywhere in the business."

Henderson was moved up to the driver's seat last week, when the White House asked his former boss, Rick Wagoner, to resign. (See: GM CEO steps down as Obama denies additional funds)