BUSINESS MEMO: DOUBLE STAKE

U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. said Thursday it is investing $600 million to double its stake in Suzuki Motor Co., its latest effort to expand in the Asian auto market.

GM's investment for the additional 10 percent stake in Suzuki will come mostly from a new-share issue by Suzuki, the companies said at a news conference.

Under the deal, GM Chairman Jack Smith will join Suzuki's board, becoming the first outsider and GM representative to do so.