Who actually owns GM?
General Motors Company (GM) is a publicly traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GM. The owners are its shareholders, and there is no single person or entity that owns the company outright. The largest owners are typically major institutional investment firms, but ownership is widely dispersed among thousands of investors around the world.
Understanding what ownership means for a public company
In public markets, ownership is represented by shares. Each share carries a claim on a portion of the company’s profits and, in many cases, voting rights on certain corporate matters. Governance is carried out by a board of directors elected by shareholders. Because GM is a large, globally traded company, ownership is spread across many different types of investors, from pension funds to individual retail investors, with institutional investors generally holding the largest blocks.
Current leading holders of GM stock
The following paragraph explains the list that follows. It identifies the institutions most commonly reported as holding the largest stakes in GM stock, based on the latest regulatory filings and public disclosures. These figures are subject to change as funds rebalance and new data are filed.
- Vanguard Group, Inc.
- BlackRock, Inc.
- State Street Global Advisors
- Capital Research Global Investors (Capital Group)
- Geode Capital Management
- Fidelity Management & Research Company
- Wellington Management Company
Ownership percentages for these institutions can fluctuate with market activity, fund flows, and periodic rebalancing. While these firms often appear at the top of GM’s holder lists, ownership remains distributed among many other funds and individual investors, and none of these entities typically holds a controlling stake.
What this means for GM’s governance
Because GM is owned by a broad base of shareholders, governance is exercised through an elected board of directors representing the owners as a group. The presence of large institutional holders can influence strategic directions and governance priorities, but control is not centralized in any single owner. Board appointments and major corporate decisions require broad shareholder support, not a sole proprietor’s mandate.
Additional context on ownership dynamics
In addition to the largest institutional holders, a substantial portion of GM’s stock is held by retail investors—individuals who own shares directly or through retirement accounts and brokerages. Insider ownership, including shares held by executives and directors, typically represents a smaller portion of the total outstanding shares. The ownership landscape can shift with quarterly filings, mergers and acquisitions, and broader market movements.
Summary
GM’s ownership is geographically and financially varied, with no single owner in control. The company is owned by its shareholders, and governance rests with a board elected by that ownership base. The largest known holders are major institutional investors such as Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street, but ownership remains highly diversified and continually evolving in response to market activity and investor strategies.
Who actually owns General Motors?
The ownership structure of General Motors (GM) stock is a mix of institutional, retail, and individual investors. Approximately 56.44% of the company's stock is owned by Institutional Investors, 0.12% is owned by Insiders, and 43.44% is owned by Public Companies and Individual Investors.
Does China own 49 of GM?
No, China does not own 49% of GM; GM has a 49% stake in the SAIC-GM joint venture, while the Chinese state-owned company SAIC Motor holds the remaining 51%. This structure is specific to their joint venture, SAIC-GM, and does not mean China owns 49% of GM itself.
- SAIC-GM joint venture: In this specific joint venture, SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) holds a 51% stake, and GM holds a 49% stake.
- GM's ownership: General Motors is a publicly traded company, and its ownership is distributed among its shareholders.
- Other joint ventures: GM has other joint ventures in China with different ownership structures. For example, in the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, GM holds a 50.1% stake.
Who is the largest shareholder of GM?
Who Are GM's Top Shareholders?
- The Vanguard Group: 110.3M shares (11.6%), ~$6.46B.
- BlackRock: 48.9M (5.1%), ~$2.86B.
- State Street: 48.7M (5.1%), ~$2.85B.
- Harris Associates: 25.3M (2.7%), ~$1.48B.
- Putnam Investment Management: 24.4M (2.6%), ~$1.43B.
- Greenhaven Associates: 23.7M (2.5%), ~$1.39B.
How much of GM is owned by China?
No single entity in China owns a majority of General Motors, but Chinese state-owned enterprises are major partners in GM's China joint ventures, where ownership can be a 50/50 split or have a controlling stake held by the Chinese partner in some cases. For example, in its joint venture with SAIC Motor, SAIC-GM, each company holds a 50% stake. However, in some other joint ventures, such as the one with Wuling, SAIC has a 49% stake, while GM holds 44%.
- Joint Ventures: GM operates through various joint ventures in China with local partners, such as SAIC Motor. These ventures are often 50/50 partnerships, but ownership can vary by the specific venture.
- Controlling Stakes: In some cases, like with the Wuling brand, the Chinese partner holds a controlling stake (SAIC with 49%), while GM retains a minority stake (GM with 44%).
- No Majority Ownership: No single Chinese owner holds a majority share of the entire General Motors company, which is a publicly traded American company. Its ownership is widely distributed among institutional investors and individual shareholders.
