GM Aims to Return to Investment Grade Rating Soon

General Motors Co. is working with ratings agencies in hopes of winning an upgrade of the company's credit rating to investment grade this year, CEO Dan Akerson tells reporters.

GM debt has been relegated to junk-bond status since 2005. But Akerson notes that its banks rated the $11 billion credit line they gave the company in November as investment grade. A higher rating allows GM to borrow at lower costs.

Separately, Akerson said that the heated debate during last year's presidential campaign about GM's government bailout turned out to be a "net positive" for the company because it made consumers aware of GM's comeback. The auto giant initially feared the attention would revive taxpayer hostility about the financial aid.