GM to Form New Japanese Unit

Reuters reported that General Motors Japan, the Japanese unit of U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp., said on Thursday it will form a new company in Japan in August to strengthen ties with its Japanese partners. GM owns 49 percent of Isuzu Motors Ltd., 20 percent of Suzuki Motor Corp. and 21 percent of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. The new company, named General Motors Asia Pacific (Japan) Ltd. (GMAP Japan), will be 100 percent owned by GM and will take over support functions including finance, strategic planning, information systems, purchasing and logistics, human resources and corporate communications. The existing General Motors Japan will focus on sales, marketing and after sales operations for GM brand vehicles in Japan, it said.