GM falls after alliance falters.(Business)

Byline: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - A key adviser to billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian resigned from the General Motors board Friday, citing a boardroom environment unreceptive to extensive probing and "grave reservations" about GM's abilities against Asian competitors.

Kerkorian, meanwhile, signaled he would not acquire more stock in the world's biggest automaker after GM decided against pursuing an alliance with Renault and Nissan. He already controls 9.9 percent of GM shares and had recently indicated he was considering raising that stake to 12 percent.

The twin developments, disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, …