General Motors Co. is recalling an additional 2.7 million vehicles, pushing the automakers total number of cars and trucks called back for fixes in the U.S. this year to 11.1 million.

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.