MIAMI LAKES, Fla. -- General Motors has appointed Gualterio (Walter) Wieland to succeed Frederick A. (Fritz) Henderson as president and managing director of General Motors do Brasil.  

Wieland, 57, will report to Henderson, whose appointment as group vice president of GM and president of GM Latin America, Africa and Mid-East (LAAM), was announced on March 29. Henderson will succeed Richard C. Nerod, who is retiring.  

Wieland, whose appointment is effective July 1, has been executive director of the LAAM Andean region, consisting principally of GM operations in Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador.

"Walter is an outstanding executive with extensive experience in our South American business operations," said Henderson. "His experience and leadership qualities will serve GM well in the continuing resurgence of our business in this part of the world."

Under Wieland's leadership, the Andean regional operations in 1999 successfully stemmed the tide of financial losses due to a dramatic market downturn in various South American countries, implemented successful restructuring strategies to size the business to market conditions, and maintained GM market  leadership in each country, despite increased competition.  

As the new head of GM do Brasil, Wieland also will assume Henderson's previous responsibilities for oveseeing GM operations not only in Brazil but also Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The four countries comprise the Mercosur region of South America.  

Wieland joined General Motors in Argentina in 1968 and subsequently progressed through several sales positions there as well as in Uruguay and Puerto Rico. In 1982, Wieland was promoted to director of sales and marketing for GM in Colombia. He was appointed vehicles sales manager at GM do Brasil in 1986, rising to director of marketing and sales there in 1989.

Subsequent executive appointments included being named managing director of GM Colmotores in Colombia, GM Venezolana in Venezuela, and director of the Andean region in GM's Latin American Operations in 1995. He was named executive director of the Andean region in 1999.

Wieland was born May 9, 1943, in Argentina. He studied law in that country before joining GM on July 22, 1968. He speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and German.

(May 25, 2000)