The head of General Motors Corp. (GM) declined Monday to predict when it would return to profitability, and played down concern about potential operational interference from the U.S. government.

Fritz Henderson, president and chief executive, also said GM's leadership team faced changes over the next 60 days as it works toward exiting bankruptcy protection.

Much of GM's management team has been in place for years or decades as the company has racked up losses and seen its U.S. market share erode.

"As a leadership team, we will be focused on products and customers," Henderson said at a press conference in New York.

GM's restructuring plan does not contain profit targets, and Henderson did not elaborate at the conference beyond its stated aim of breaking even at an annualized U.S. sales rate of 10 million vehicles.

The company has not made a profit since 2004, and only its Latin American business made money in the first quarter.

Henderson deflected questions about potential U.S. government influence in GM operations, saying he didn't envisage a scenario where the administration would seek to dictate new product development.

His remarks echoed earlier comments from President Barack Obama, who said the U.S. isn't interested in running GM. The U.S. will take an initial 60% stake in the company.

Henderson appealed to U.S. taxpayers and consumers to give the bankrupt company a new shot at survival in what's shaping up as GM's new key message.

Losing legions more customers has been the auto maker's worst fear in a bankruptcy. The company's revenue plunged nearly 50% in the first quarter as bankruptcy fears chilled consumers already slammed by a global economic slump. Already this year, GM sales have plunged 40%.

To help calm car buyers, the U.S. government will back warranties on GM vehicles, a point underscored Monday by the president.

Henderson said GM's U.S. filing won't affect operations in other regions. The company is selling its European Opel operations. Henderson said GM will continue to have a minority stake there.

The company also is reconsidering a joint venture it has with Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) building vehicles at a factory in California.

Henderson said bankruptcy will give GM an opportunity to stabilize its balance sheet, though he said it was not the company's preference.

"While our preference was to create a new GM on a different path, what is most important is to get GM to its destination," Henderson said.

-By Sharon Terlep, Dow Jones Newswires; Sharon.Terlep@dowjones.com