Sony’s CEO Is Appointed to GM Board

Sony Corp. Chief Executive and President Nobuyuki Idei joined General Motors Corp.’s board, becoming the first Japanese citizen to be a director of the world’s largest auto maker.

Idei, 61, has been chief executive of the world’s No. 2 consumer-electronics company since June. He had been co-CEO since May 1998 and served as president and chief operating officer since April 1995 before taking on the co-chief executive post.

Idei brings “a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding the Asia Pacific region--a key growth market for GM,” GM Chairman and Chief Executive John F. Smith Jr. said in a statement.

Idei’s appointment expands the Detroit-based auto maker’s board to 16 members, of whom 13 are outside directors.

The Sony chief executive also is a director of Electrolux, a Swedish home-appliance maker.