General Motors Co. has retained crisis-communications expert Jeff Eller as it builds a team to help respond to the recall small cars with faulty ignition switches tied to 13 deaths.

General Motors Co. Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra pushed yesterday to separate herself from an old GM that weighed the costs of improved safety, insisting shes the face of a new GM that puts customers first.

General Motors Co. Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra pushed yesterday to separate herself from an old GM that weighed the costs of improved safety, insisting shes the face of a new GM that puts customers first.