GM News: GM CEO Pushes For Internal Successor

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 26, 2012

General Motors' CEO, Dan Akerson recently said that he would like to see GM’s next CEO come from within the company ranks.

“My preference would be for it to be an internal candidate just because as you might expect, in any company in any industry, it’s less disruptive,” Akerson said at the 2012 Automotive News China Conference.

Akerson told The Wall Street Journal earlier this month that GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky is on the list of candidates with a shot at replacing him as CEO. Also on that list are North America chief Mark Reuss and global product head Mary Barra.

When asked how long he would continue on as GM CEO, Akerson hinted at a timeframe of two to five years.

"I owe the board, as every CEO does, what happens if I get run over today? What would I recommend you do, tomorrow? But that's not what we're really worried about. We're worried about what happens two to five years from now."

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[G. David Felt]

Very Good, All CEO's should have a bull pin of possible candidates that can carry on and grow the business with little disruption.

This is good as long as these candidates realize the importance of growing the business and not stiffling it.

[Drew Dowdell]

He's leaving already?

[G. David Felt]

My take is 2-5 years only, then he will be gone.

[hyperv6]

2-5 years sound right.

I would like to see Mark get the job. He is to me a younger Lutz. He has the right mix of car guy and coperate understanding to do well at this job. He also is a GM Brat as he grew up while his dad did a good job fighting the system doing cars like the GN when some at GM did not really want them.

I think Mark would stand up to those who fight the change inside GM much as Lutz did if he was given the power.