The Economic Times is the latest to report that 65-year-old GM CEO Dan Akerson could leave as early as some time next, though it has not been confirmed to the board of directors, nor has a search for his replacement begun. With that in mind, we don’t see him leaving next year.
Speculation about Akerson leaving began in April when a GM securities filing revealed his compensation plan had changed to make up for almost $2 million in vested stocks, the CEO was not awarded any stock units last year “in acknowledgement of the possibility of his retirement before the completion of the three-year vesting period,”.
North American operations head Mark Reuss is widely recognized as a possible successor to Akerson. But the board will hold off launching an official search until Akerson formally resigns, an unnamed source told ET. There’s also Tim Lee, Chairman of GM China, and current Opel Chairman Steve Girsky.
In January, when Akerson was asked when he would retire, he remarked that he would still be running the company at the same time in 2014.
At a time of year when luxury car ATP usually rises.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
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Hope Mark gets in. He loves Holden and he will put this manufacturing rumour mess to rest.
I like Mark Ruess, although he is a bit awkward at times. He knows what he is doing and is very smart and straight forward.
"CEO Dan Akerson May Leave GM As Early As Next Year, But We Doubt It - Nobody is in a rush to see him leave."
I sure am. I hope he hurries up through the door. I can't wait for that lunatic to leave GM.
I too hope Mark gets the nod but we have to remember GM still needs a good financial guy right there beside him.
Even Car Crazy Bob Lutz said it takes more than a passion for cars and good design and engineering to lead a car company.
GM still has some financial things to work out that just great product along will not fix.
With that said I love Mark and he would be my choice but he needs a good team behind him and I hope they get someone who helps guide him in the areas he is not expert in. I think he is smart enough to do that.
Why is Akerson a lunatic?
Mark would be a huge mistake. He is too interested in auto racing and niche products. Why are the wasting so much energy on importing the holden commodore as the SS, putting as their Nascar entrant when they'll be lucky to sell 7500 vehicles. The car they should be focused on is the impala. The Malibu refresh is hardly the fix needed. The Cruz needs a refresh too. I could go on, but I won't.
Dan Mark is on these issues you outline but they are not big news and most enthusiast magazines do not has these questions.
Mark is the one who delayed the first gen Cruze because it needed more work, Same for the second gen.
Mark was the one behind the Impala too an has delivered a car that is top of it's segment and not anything close to a race car.
As for the SS you have not seen the whole deal here yet and the beginnings of the SS coming here go way back to around the bail out.
Mark knows product, he understands budgets, but the one thing he has is he can relate product and enthusiasm to the customers that people like Whitaker and Ackerson could never do. Both Whitaker and Ackerson are great book guys and got GM in a strong position post bail out but they have to rely on people like Mark to get the right product mix and to rely it to the customers. I can see the rolls reversed with a product guy in the lead with a finance guy sitting by his side out of the lime light.
GM for too long has had older stuffy accountants running the company. Even if they do a good job they give GM a stogy image. A younger enthusiastic leader would not only help with the public image but he would also be able to enable people to do what they need to do in the company to make the best products. This is what Lutz started and Mark will continue it.
As for the coming Cruze and the Malibu refresh they are both not far out. The Cruze was given more time to get it right since the present car is still selling well. The Malibu we have now is only a short term car and it will be replaced soon enough. It was a left over pre bailout car that was delayed coming to market. GM was between a rock and a hard place with that one so they just have to make due with it till they can get the new platform ready.
Dan you can not judge Mark buy what you see in the enthusiast magazines you have to look what he was given and where they are going and these are not things the media covers unless it has a SS, V or Stingray emblem on it.