General Motors has offered voluntary redundancy to its 74,000 unionised workers after posting a record loss of $38.7bn (£19.8bn) during 2007.
General Motors has offered voluntary redundancy to its 74,000 unionised workers after posting a record loss of $38.7bn (£19.8bn) during 2007.
During the last three months of the year, it made a net loss of $722m, down from a profit of $950m a year earlier.
During the last three months of the year, it made a net loss of $722m, down from a profit of $950m a year earlier.
Revenues also fell during 2007, to $181bn from $206bn in 2006, in spite of a rise in the number of vehicles sold.
Revenues also fell during 2007, to $181bn from $206bn in 2006, in spite of a rise in the number of vehicles sold.
GM is in the process of cutting costs as it tries to bounce back from weak sales and profits in the US market.
GM is in the process of cutting costs as it tries to bounce back from weak sales and profits in the US market.
It blamed most of its losses on a one-off tax charge, but a miserable performance at consumer finance firm GMAC, in which it has a 49% stake, also acted as a drag on full-year earnings.
It blamed most of its losses on a one-off tax charge, but a miserable performance at consumer finance firm GMAC, in which it has a 49% stake, also acted as a drag on full-year earnings.
GMAC's home lending unit suffered badly from high mortgage defaults and more expensive home loan costs, and caused GMAC to post a loss of $2.3bn for 2007.
GMAC's home lending unit suffered badly from high mortgage defaults and more expensive home loan costs, and caused GMAC to post a loss of $2.3bn for 2007.
Historic deal
Historic deal
GM reached a historic deal last year with the United Auto Workers (UAW), the main US car union that represents 74,000 of its workers in North America over a new four-year labour contract.
GM reached a historic deal last year with the United Auto Workers (UAW), the main US car union that represents 74,000 of its workers in North America over a new four-year labour contract.
We're pleased with the positive improvement trend in our automotive results Rick Wagoner, GM's chief executive
We're pleased with the positive improvement trend in our automotive results Rick Wagoner, GM's chief executive
The agreement allows GM to embark on a major restructuring mission, cutting its pension and healthcare liabilities and allowing it to employ staff on much lower salaries than at current levels.
The agreement allows GM to embark on a major restructuring mission, cutting its pension and healthcare liabilities and allowing it to employ staff on much lower salaries than at current levels.
As part of plans to transform its work force, it has offered its workers who are eligible to retire $45,000 for production staff and $62,500 for its most skilled workers.
As part of plans to transform its work force, it has offered its workers who are eligible to retire $45,000 for production staff and $62,500 for its most skilled workers.
Other UAW members with 10 years or more service can opt for a one-off payment of $140,000 to leave the company with no further benefits. Workers with less than 10 years at GM can choose to accept a $70,000 pay out.
Other UAW members with 10 years or more service can opt for a one-off payment of $140,000 to leave the company with no further benefits. Workers with less than 10 years at GM can choose to accept a $70,000 pay out.
'Important progress'
'Important progress'
GM hopes to derive cost savings of between $4bn-$5bn by 2010 in the US from the 2007 GM-UAW contract, which includes shifting its healthcare benefits to an independent fund.
GM hopes to derive cost savings of between $4bn-$5bn by 2010 in the US from the 2007 GM-UAW contract, which includes shifting its healthcare benefits to an independent fund.
GM's chief executive Rick Wagoner called 2007 a year of "important progress" with sweeping cost reductions in its US operations and aggressive growth in emerging markets.
GM's chief executive Rick Wagoner called 2007 a year of "important progress" with sweeping cost reductions in its US operations and aggressive growth in emerging markets.
"We're pleased with the positive improvement trend in our automotive results, especially given the challenging conditions in important markets like the US and Germany," Mr Wagoner said.
"We're pleased with the positive improvement trend in our automotive results, especially given the challenging conditions in important markets like the US and Germany," Mr Wagoner said.
"But we have more work to do to achieve acceptable profitability and positive cash flow," he added.
"But we have more work to do to achieve acceptable profitability and positive cash flow," he added.
Sales growth
Sales growth
GM's worldwide vehicle sales increased 3% to 9.4 million vehicles in 2007, marking the second best year in units sold in the company's 100-year history, it said.
GM's worldwide vehicle sales increased 3% to 9.4 million vehicles in 2007, marking the second best year in units sold in the company's 100-year history, it said.
Record sales growth was achieved in Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.
Record sales growth was achieved in Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.
GM managed to retain its crown last year as world's top carmaker, keeping its Japanese rival Toyota at bay.
GM managed to retain its crown last year as world's top carmaker, keeping its Japanese rival Toyota at bay.
But Toyota's sales growth outpaced GM's, climbing 6%.
But Toyota's sales growth outpaced GM's, climbing 6%.
Are you a General Motors worker? Are you affected by this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
