General Motors Corp. (GM) said Tuesday Joseph Liu will replace Robert Socia as executive vice president at GM's flagship China car venture, Shanghai General Motors Corp.

Liu, now GM Asia Pacific's vice president for sales and marketing, will take on his new post July 1. Socia will become GM's vice president in charge of global purchasing and supply chain, GM (China) Investment Co. said in a statement, confirming comments from people familiar with the matter Monday.

Socia will replace Bo Andersson, who has left GM to pursue other career opportunities.

John Stadwick, GM Asia Pacific's executive director in charge of after-sales, will succeed Liu on an interim basis before a permanent replacement is selected later, the statement said.

Socia and Stadwick's appointments will also take effect July 1, the statement said.

Liu has been the head of sales and marketing for GM Asia Pacific since November 2008, the statement said. He previously served as a vice president in charge of the marketing division for Shanghai GM, the statement said.

Liu "was instrumental in making Shanghai GM a leader in the Chinese passenger car market from 2005 to 2007," the statement said.

Shanghai GM is a 50-50 joint venture between GM and Shanghai's SAIC Motor Corp.

GM Asia Pacific President Nick Reilly said earlier this month that GM together with its auto-making joint ventures have a combined market share in China of 13.5%.

-Victoria Ruan contributed to this story, Dow Jones Newswires; 8610 6588-5848; victoria.ruan@dowjones.com