General Motors Co.'s top lobbyist is expected to retire early next year.

A GM official says Ken Cole, the automaker's vice president for government relations, will retire in early 2010 and his successor will be named later Wednesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of a company announcement.

GM's Washington office was expected to face a shake-up following the company's government-led bankruptcy and billions of dollars in federal aid.

Cole has been GM's top lobbyist since 2001.