American automaker General Motors Co. has named Mary Barra to succeed Dan Akerson as the company's chief executive officer.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Barra's appointment completes the GM insider's rise from a factory-floor worker to the industry's first female CEO after more than a century of global automaking.

Barra, 51, takes over a company that has emerged from near-collapse a half decade ago. GM was able to survive the crisis after an infusion of government cash and outside managers. Barra's appointment was announced a day after the US government had sold its final shares of GM, the report said.  

Bloomberg, citing GM's statement, said that Barra will take over in January. GM chief financial officer Dan Ammann was named as president of the company.

Akerson, who turned 65 in October, is retiring on January 15. He will be replaced as chairman by Tim Solso, the former CEO and chairman of engine-maker Cummins Inc., the report said.

Barra was most recently the chief of product development and quality for all GM cars and trucks. She oversaw the introduction of the well-received Chevrolet Impala and cut costs by standardizing parts, Bloomberg said.