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New videos feature GM CEO Mary Barra on the delayed recall

General Motors
GM CEO Mary Barra, right, at customer engagement center.

GM released four additional videos featuring CEO Mary Barra to try to answer the most common questions customers have about an ignition switch recall that was delayed for nearly 10 years.

The most pressing question is probably: "Is it safe to drive my car?"

GM has recalled more than 1.5 million late-model Cobalts, HHRs, Pontiac Solstices, Saturn Skys and Saturn Ions.

The vehicles, many built between the years 2003 and 2007, have a potentially deadly defect in the ignition switch. It can turn off at high speeds when jarred, on a pothole or off-road, or if the key chain has too much weight on it from extra items, like house keys, flashlights and the like.

Barra says she asked tough questions of the engineers handling the safety recall.

"The very first question I asked is 'Would you let your spouse or your children drive these vehicles in this condition?' and they said yes."

In other brief videos, Barra assures customers the company will investigate what happened with the long delay and says the company plans to have the safest cars in the industry.

Barra, who has held the top job at GM for only three months, goes before a Congressional panel next week to answer questions about the recall.

Tracy Samilton covers energy and transportation, including the auto industry and the business response to climate change for Michigan Public. She began her career at Michigan Public as an intern, where she was promptly “bitten by the radio bug,” and never recovered.
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