RENEE MONTAGNE, Host:
NPR's Sonari Glinton reports on what being number one could mean for GM.
SONARI GLINTON: Unidentified Group: (Chanting) We're number one. We're number one. We're number one.
GM: Go GM.
(SOUNDBITE OF CHEERING)
GLINTON: That's not how GM is handling the news this time. Alan Adler is a GM spokesman, and he's more like, meh.
ALAN ADLER: We don't run the business based on being the number-one sales company. We had that for 77 years.
GLINTON: Adler says he'd rather GM be profitable and valuable to its shareholders.
ADLER: We run the business based on designing - building and selling the world's best vehicles. Now, if that works out to make you number one, then that's a great thing.
REBECCA LINDLAND: The automaker will always deny that they care.
(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)
GLINTON: Rebecca Lindland is an analyst with IHS Automotive. She says being number one for GM does come with some upsides.
LINDLAND: You know, the number one automaker in the world has a nice ring to it, especially the way that they're doing it now, where they would be profitable and be able to make that claim.
GLINTON: Sonari Glinton, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.