Outgoing GM CEO Dan Akerson seems to want to go back to his boxing career, much like our own Manoli wants to get back into mixed martial arts. In fact, he wants to have a spar with Ford CEO Alan Mulally as soon as possible. However whether Mulally wants to, we don’t know. Actually, we kind of do.
Last week at the Detroit Athletic Club, Akerson, who is retiring this week from GM CEO to make way for Mary Barra, put on the gloves, and started pummeling Mullaly with his wisecracking, based on an Automotive News report. He hammered Akerson for not having gone to Microsoft since Mulally philandered with the idea for months with the tech giant. Mulally isn’t going anywhere since he plans to stay with Ford at least through 2014.
However, when other players entered the ring, Akerson was ready. He hit at Honda and Toyota’s vehicle recalls in recent years while he touted the GM brand he represents. Then when mention of the Volkswagen Jetta came about, he was about to take another jab at the other Volkswagen but decidedly chose to not.
However, his KO punch didn’t come until he started taking shots at his old colleagues. He noted GM has been one of the largest utilizers of information technology in the world but has outsourced it elsewhere.
“It’s because we’re car guys,” he said, taking the final sarcastic blow. “We don’t have to mess with that.”
Comments
I really don’t think Mr Mullally cares. Im sure he prefers to let Ford’s sales numbers speak for him.
Government Motors should be careful where they sling mud, they are producing some great products but Ford is kicking their ass.
GM’s new pickups are nice but will never overtake the F150 in sales.
The GM large SUV segment is ahead right now as Ford needs to seriously update the Expedition or dump it.
Unlike GM, Ford isnt flooding the rental car market with slow moving product, kinda like the Dodge did with Charger.
“GM’s new pickups are nice but will never overtake the F150 in sales.”
^ He thinks the “GM vs. Ford” saga is a sales race.