Summary Box: GM cites growth in setting up South American unit

Summary Box: GM sets up South American unit

WHAT’S NEW: General Motors Co. split off its South American operations into a separate operating region, appointing Jaime Ardila as president of the unit.

THE REASON: GM said it needed the new division due to rising demand for its cars and trucks in South America, plus it needed to allow international executives to concentrate on fast-growing markets such as Asia and Russia. South America had been part of GM’s international operations.

THE SALES: GM sold almost 400,000 vehicles in South America during the first five months of the year and says it now controls about 20 percent of the market.