June 30, 2006
Kerkorian Pressuring GM
Posted by Gordon Smith

Kirk Kerkorian thinks GM should going the Renault-Nissan alliance. (W$J) His letter to Richard Wagoner, GM's CEO, states:

It is our understanding that Renault S.A. (“Renault”) and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (“Nissan”) are receptive to the concept of including General Motors Corporation (“General Motors”) in their partnership−alliance and purchasing from General Motors a significant minority interest in the Company.

The Renault−Nissan partnership−alliance has created tremendous engineering, manufacturing and marketing synergies, resulting in substantial benefits and cost
savings to both Renault and Nissan.

We believe that participating in a global partnership−alliance with Renault and Nissan could enable General Motors to realize substantial synergies and cost
savings and thereby greatly benefit the Company and enhance shareholder value. Accordingly, we urge the Board of Directors to form a committee to
immediately and fully explore this opportunity together with management.

Kerkorian didn't have to put this in a letter (he has a representative on GM's board of directors), and he didn't have to file the letter with the SEC.

The backstory is that officials from Kerkorian's Tracinda Corporation have met with Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who is widely admired for turning that company around since taking the reins in 1999. And Ghosn's name has been circulating as a possible replacement for Wagoner. So let's translate Kerkorian's letter to Wagoner:

Dear Rick,

You have a choice: team up with Ghosn or we will replace you with him.

Sincerely, Kirk

By the way, GM's stock is up over 5% today.

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