Being CEO of any company is no easy task. Becoming the first-ever woman to lead a major automaker, however, is an even larger task. But General Motors CEO, Mary Barra, has risen to the occasion and continues to steer GM towards a brighter future after the most dark times the automaker has ever seen in 2009.
Forbes has placed Barra as number five on the publication’s list of 100 most powerful women in the world. She climbs two spots from number seven in 2014.
Forbes cites her ability to maneuver General Motors through its ignition-switch recall as a major factor in her position, and praised her for keeping GM more disciplined financially. Financial decisions under her belt include ceasing production in Australia, Russia and Indonesia as profit couldn’t justify continued investment.
Her ambition to return Cadillac to a global-luxury powerhouse also bumps her two spaces up. By placing none other than Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen, largely credited with creating Audi as we know it, as her right-hand man for Cadillac, the brand is poised to do great things in the future domestically, and in Asia.
In the meantime, focus also turns to Chevrolet, as the brand renews its focus on great cars, not just impressive trucks. Buick will also continue its makeover in the U.S., while it enjoys steady sales in China.
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