GM signals no change of plans despite Trump criticisms

Mary Barra, CEO and Chairman of General Motors Corporation during a press conference at th
AFP

Detroit (AFP) – GM chief Mary Barra on Tuesday held firm to the biggest US automaker’s business plans, and refused to speculate on altering course in the face of President-elect Donald Trump’s recent attacks on the industry. 

Barra said it was too early to comment on whether GM would alter its investments in Mexico, or how changes in free trade agreements might change the business. 

“We’re going to have an active voice as trade policy changes or evolves, but the foundation of our strategy is to build where we sell,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the annual Detroit auto show, an important industry showcase.  

Trump slammed American car makers Ford, Fiat Chrysler and GM’s Chevrolet brand for manufacturing cars in Mexico to export to the US market, threatening them with import tariffs. He also has blasted free trade agreements. 

GM’s Chevrolet Cruze was the target of Trump’s Twitter attack a week ago, but Barra refused to offer any hints as to how she might change the company’s business strategy after the Republican takes office on January 20. 

“We think there’s many things that we can do in working with the administration that are going to make American great again, that are going to strengthen business, which will strengthen growth, which will strengthen jobs,” she said, evoking Trump’s campaign slogan. 

GM also raised earnings outlook for 2017 thanks to expected solid final sales figures for 2016, and said it would ramp up its global volume of crossovers, trucks and sports utility vehicles. 

“We had a great year in 2016 in every respect,” Barra said.  

Trucks, SUVs and crossovers accounted for approximately 60 percent of all US auto sales last year, and GM said it will respond by increasing “significantly” the production of those vehicles. 

Crossovers, trucks and SUVs will account for 52 percent of the car giant’s global volume of cars by 2020, GM announced.

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