For instance, in 2011, GM Ventures bought a stake in Envia Systems, of Newark, Calif.

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Last August, GM Ventures invested in NanoSteel, a Providence, R.

FORBES: How GM Lost -- And Found -- The Path To Innovation

The vehicle sales business in U.S. is closely followed by its vehicle sales business in China, where GM operates through three joint ventures and is the second most valuable region for GM.

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In all GM has 12 joint ventures that offer the broad line of vehicles and brands sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands.

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In China, GM operates primarily through its three joint ventures.

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GM, twenty years ago, formed joint ventures with Chinese auto makers.

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Now the person holding that position is the president of GM's international operations, overseeing the company's ventures in China, Korea and Russia.

WSJ: Edward Niedermeyer: Welcome to General Tso's Motors