General Motors restructures overseas operation to create South American unit

General Motors creates South American unit

DETROIT — General Motors Co. says it’s restructuring its international operations to create a unit to handle South America.

The Detroit automaker appointed Jaime Ardila as president of GM South America. It will be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Ardila will report to CEO Ed Whitacre. The operation includes sales and manufacturing in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela as well as sales in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

GM currently has 29,000 workers in the region.

Previously the company had only North American, European and international units.