26.7.2006
GM reports improved Q2 financial results

Today, GM reported significantly improved 2006 second quarter financial results. Global automotive operations were profitable on an adjusted basis, excluding special items, for the first time since 2004, and the company posted a second consecutive quarter of record revenue.

GM reported a net loss of $3.2 billion for the second quarter of 2006, compared with a reported loss of $987 million for the year-ago quarter. The net loss for the quarter included a total of $4.3 billion in special items that reflected a previously announced $3.7 billion after-tax charge related to the successful accelerated attrition program, in which 34,400 hourly employees participated. Other special items included a loss related to the pending sale of 51 percent of GMAC, a gain on the disposition of Isuzu stock, and restructuring charges.

GM posted 2006 second-quarter adjusted net income, excluding special items, of $1.2 billion on record revenue of $54.4 billion. This reflects a $1.4 billion improvement from the year-ago adjusted loss of $231 million on revenue of $48.5 billion.

“With the support of our employees, unions, dealers, suppliers and stockholders, we are moving rapidly and aggressively to address our challenges and restructure GM for future success,” said Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and chief executive officer. “It’s rewarding to see our automotive business return to profitability on an operating basis and a clear sign that we’re on the right track, but there is more work to be done.”

Wagoner also said the success of the accelerated attrition program in the United States, along with other cost initiatives, led GM to increase its structural cost reduction target in North America to $9 billion from $8 billion on an average annual running rate basis by the end of 2006.

“Our turnaround has not just gained traction, it’s accelerating into high gear,” Wagoner said. “While significant work still remains, our ability to identify and initiate $9 billion in cost cuts over the course of the past year is unprecedented in this industry.

“We’re particularly pleased with the speed with which our people have implemented our turnaround plan. Conventional wisdom is that you can’t turn a ship as big as GM around quickly. We aim to prove that conventional wisdom wrong.”

GM Automotive Operations
GM’s global automotive operations earned $362 million on an adjusted basis, excluding special items, representing an improvement of $1.3 billion year-over-year. This is due primarily to significant improvement in GM North America and continued profitability improvement in other regions.

GM’s global market share in the second quarter was 13.8 percent, up from the first quarter market share of 13.1 percent, but down from 15.1 percent last year. The change in global market share is largely attributable to last year’s highly successful employee discount incentive program in North America and lower fleet sales in Europe.

GM North America posted an adjusted net loss of $85 million, excluding special items, in the second quarter of 2006, a $1.1 billion improvement over the prior year period. The improvement is attributable to reductions in GM’s cost base across a broad range of activities, including improvement in warranty and other quality-related costs and a reduction in ongoing pension expense, due largely to the success of the hourly attrition program.

GM Europe posted adjusted earnings, excluding special items, of $124 million for the quarter, an improvement of $94 million compared with earnings of $30 million in the second quarter of 2005.

“Our European operations continue to gain momentum, posting a second consecutive profitable quarter, excluding special items,” Wagoner said. “We are pleased with Saab’s global market performance, posting a sales increase of 24 percent for the first half of the year, and the continued growth of the Chevrolet brand in Europe. We are also encouraged by the response to the new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, unveiled at the recent London Motor Show and scheduled to arrive in showrooms this fall.”

On an adjusted basis, excluding special items, GM Asia Pacific posted earnings of $167 million in the second quarter, down slightly from last year’s earnings of $183 million. The difference is more than accounted for by the loss of equity income from Suzuki following the reduction in GM’s equity stake. Market share in the region increased to 6.7 percent in the second quarter of 2006, up from 6.2 percent during the second quarter of 2005, driven by strong sales in China.

GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East posted adjusted earnings, excluding special items, of $156 million, a significant increase of $131 million compared with last year’s second quarter results of $25 million. This reflects an increase in volume and improved pricing.

General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) reported record net income of $898 million for the second quarter of 2006, up $82 million from second quarter 2005 earnings of $816 million. “GMAC continues to perform well despite pressure on profit margins from rising interest rates,” Wagoner said. “We remain on track to complete the sale of 51 percent of GMAC to a consortium of investors in the fourth quarter.”

GM continues to bolster its liquidity position, a key element to fund the North America turnaround plan. GM generated adjusted operating cash flow of $700 million in the second quarter of 2006, a more than $2 billion improvement versus the year-ago period.