U.S. Carmakers Take Different Roads in Russia

摘要

General Motors and Ford Motor usually compete toe-to-toe in everything they do. But in Russia, they're headed in radically different directions. GM is cutting losses, having taken a $428 million charge to wind down many of its operations there this year. Ford is spending more money on new models and plants in Russia, increasing its bet even as the falling ruble and a recession hammer car sales. "GM chose the nuclear option," says Warren Browne, president of WP Browne Consulting in Detroit and former head of GM's Russia operations. "Ford is trying to navigate it. In growth markets, it's not always growth. You can't ignore turmoil, but how many other markets have Russia's potential?"