Surprisingly, this ancient car company from Detroit has not made its money in China from gas-guzzling mega-trucks and energy-wasting roadships. Instead, they've done themselves a favor by selling small minivans that get 43 miles to the gallon. However, true to their traditions, Mr. Murtagh, the head of GM in China, was not rewarded for the company's only bright spot - instead, he has left the company under strange circumstances.

That's what you get for selling 170,000 vans...read all about it in Keith Bradsher's excellent article in the New York Times (a free registration site). An excerpt from the article:

Mr. Shen, the president of the joint venture here, becomes visibly emotional when he mentions Mr. Murtaugh's surprise departure.

"I have a very good relationship with Mr. Murtaugh, he is my friend, and seeing him leave is very hard on me," Mr. Shen said, his voice catching slightly. "He was both a teacher and a friend."

Mr. Murtaugh said that he was playing a little golf now, but found himself with many idle hours.

"I'm looking for work," he said, and then joked, "do you have a deck that needs painting?"