Akerson Predicts Female CEO for a Big Three Carmaker

General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson says "it's inevitable" that a "car gal" will one day head Ford, Chrysler or General Motors.

His prediction came during a speech on Wednesday at a Detroit luncheon sponsored by Inforum, a women's professional organization.

Akerson noted that Detroit's Big Three carmakers are currently run by "non-car guys." He declined to say when a women might become CEO of any of those companies but declared, "It's going to come to pass."

Observers interpret Akerson's remarks as support for women such as Mary Barra, who oversees GM's global product development operations. She has frequently been mentioned as a member of the short list of Akerson's likely successors.