GM Purchasing Czar Headed for Russia

GM Purchasing Czar Headed for Russia

Bo Andersson, who resigned last week as General Motors Corp.'s group vice president-global purchasing and supply chain, is taking a position with Russia's second-largest automaker, GAZ.

The company said Andersson, who served as GM's top procurement executive since 2001, will be the chief consultant to the Russain automaker's board of directors. GAZ is one partner in a group led by Canada's Magna International Inc. to take over GM's Adam Opel AG and most of the company's European operations, including the United Kingdom's Vauxhall.

The announcement of Andersson's departure came abruptly last week and it was speculated he could be leaving GM to be part of a new management team for GM's Saab unit, which GM also is in the process of selling and currently is under bankruptcy protection in Sweden. Andersson began his GM career as a Saab executive.

The Detroit News reported GAZ as saying there is the likelihood Andersson also will be elected to the GAZ board of directors when the company meets to elect a new board on June 29.

Bill Visnic:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter