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Ex-GM CEO On Apple’s Plan To Build Cars: They Have No Idea What They’re Getting Into

| Feb 19, 2015 01:10 AM EST

GM CEO Dan Akerson

Retired General Motors CEO Dan Akerson isn't impressed by Apple's rumored plan of entering the car manufacturing business.

Akerson added it would be reasonable if Apple would push into developing car electronics rather than building its own car.

Despite a spike in Apple's share price when news broke the Cupertino-based tech company is making a play for the car-manufacturing market, not many people were impressed.

"I think somebody is kind of trying to cough up a hairball here. If I were an Apple shareholder, I wouldn't be very happy", Akerson said on a phone interview with Bloomberg.

He's skeptical about Apple's long-term plan in case the company enters the market.

Akerson also told Bloomberg the car industry has many regulatory and safety requirements. What most people fail to realize it that it's a difficult market to manage.

The ex-GM CEO added there's more potential for Apple if it teams up with car manufacturers to produce electronic devices and entertainment equipment for cars in the same way that car companies purchase headlights from third-party suppliers.

Many considered Akerson's statement as a scare tactic to prevent Apple from joining the car manufacturing market, according to BGR.

Apple declined to comment on Akerson's statements. It also hasn't released any news regarding its rumored electronic car.

Akerson led GM from 2010 until 2014 and is known for his integrating GM cars with newer technologies. It was under his management the Detroit-based carmaker started installing 4G broadband technologies into its new car models.

Before taking the reins of GM, Akerson served most of his career in the telecommunications industry. He headed tech companies like Nextel, MCI Communications and XO Communications.

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