General Motors headquarters is seen in downtown Detroit, Michigan in this file image from December 9, 2008. U.S. President Barack Obama said on March 30, 2009 that Rick Wagoner's departure as General Motors' chairman was a recognition that the company needs new direction even as he said the government did not want to run GM. A day after the White House let out word that Wagoner would be stepping down, Obama said the executive's departure was not meant as a condemnation. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT POLITICS BUSINESS)