GM Sees Light at End of Tunnel

Automakers predicts overseas sales and labor savings will pring profits
By Jim O'Neill,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 18, 2008 10:05 AM CST
GM Sees Light at End of Tunnel
The new General Motors Volt car is driven on stage with CEO Rick Wagoner in the passenger seat during his keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. General Motors says it can be configured to run on electricity, gasoline, E85 or biodiesel. (AP Photo/Paul...   (Associated Press)

Overseas sales expansion and reduced labor costs over the next three years will bring “significant” profit increases to General Motors, CEO Rick Wagoner told analysts yesterday. Wagoner also asked investors for patience as share prices continue slipping in a worsening US economy, reports the Wall Street Journal. He said production cuts could accelerate if sales slow further.

US auto sales this year promise to be the worst in a decade as an ever-receding housing market and rising energy costs worry consumers. GM has additional baggage in its GMAC lending arm, struggling with the credit crunch. But the company anticipates market growth in China and Russia, and it says labor savings could reach $5 billion by 2011. (More General Motors stories.)

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