Akerson Struggles Against Ghosts of Old GM – The Wall Street Journal.

Akerson Struggles Against Ghosts of Old GM

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303296604577450744217559400.html

DETROIT—By some measures, General Motors Co. GM +5.62%is in the best shape it has been in since the tail fin glory days of the 1950s and ’60s, with record profits, competitive products and growing global markets.

So why is Chief Executive Dan Akerson gritting his teeth?

It is because of things like the intramural feud over the price of a new Chevy Cruze to be built in Korea and sold in Mexico. A GM finance executive in Korea wanted to drive up the price to improve his unit’s results; the counterpart in Mexico wanted the vehicle cheap and flew to Korea to press his case. Hard-nosed negotiations ensued.

“When I think about that, I get so…,” said Mr. Akerson in an interview, clenching his fists and grimacing before trailing off.