AP Source: In first webcast, new GM CEO tells workers automaker must beat rivals such as BMW

AP Source: New GM CEO wants automaker to beat BMW

DETROIT — New General Motors CEO Daniel Akerson (AAAK-er-sun) is telling employees that the automaker needs to make cars and trucks that are better than competitors such as BMW.

Akerson made the remarks Wednesday in a webcast to GM employees, his first since becoming CEO on Sept. 1. A worker who watched the webcast says Akerson told them GM needs to go into attack mode to stay ahead of rivals. The worker says Akerson pointed out luxury automaker BMW, saying that GM’s Cadillac brand must make sedans that are better than BMW’s 300, 500 and 700 series.

The worker did not want to be identified because the webcast was not public.

Akerson is a former telecommunications executive. He told GM workers he’s on a steep learning curve but is absorbing a lot of information about the auto industry.