Corrected title: Union leader sees prospects in Chinese deal for GM division

[Omaha Steve]

Sorry about that.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100718/COL24/7180420/1002/Business/Union-leader-sees-prospects-in-Chinese-deal-for-GM-division

BY CAROL CAIN
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

Posted: July 18, 2010

UAW leader Garry Bernath went to the podium in GM's offices in Detroit and complimented the Chinese CEO who finessed a deal to buy Nexteer Automotive from the slimmed-down auto giant.

Say what? A UAW guy saying nice things about a Chinese businessman?

Yes, the world is changing.

"Maybe some executives in America could take a lesson from him," said Bernath, who works on the union's GM business. "He was looking for a way to work with us and looking at things in the future."

Bernath was talking about Tianbou Zhou, CEO of Pacific Century Motors, which beat out dozens of others for the auto parts company.

Many union supporters remain dismayed over China's growing role in a changing global marketplace. While some say China has unfair currency and trade advantages, there's no dispute that the world's most-populous nation and its fast-growing marketplace can't be ignored.

The 1.3 billion consumers in China are an opportunity for GM. Already, GM is selling more cars in China than anywhere, including the U.S.

FULL story and photo at link.