DETROIT — General Motors posted net income of $2.8 billion in the fourth quarter, including an adjusted $2.6 billion profit in North America.
The gain compares to a $194 million loss a year earlier as a result of the UAW strike.
The profit brings GM’s full-year net income to $6.4 billion, down 4.5 percent from 2019, the automaker said Wednesday.
Global revenue in the fourth quarter rose 22 percent to $37.5 billion and adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose to $3.7 billion from $105 million a year earlier.
GM earned $283 million from its international regions, compared to a $120 million loss a year earlier, and China equity income was $248 million, up from $239 million.
Earnings from GM Financial more than doubled to $1 billion.
A global shortage of microchips will reduce 2021 earnings by $1.5 billion to $2 billion before interest and taxes, GM said, but it won’t affect growth and electric vehicle initiatives. GM plans to prioritize production of full-size pickups, SUVs and EVs.
The automaker this week extended production cuts because of the chip shortage at plants in Kansas City, Kan.; Ingersoll, Ontario; and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, through at least mid-March. GM will build vehicles at plants in Wentzville, Mo., and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, but leave them incomplete for final assembly later.
GM’s U.S. light-vehicle sales rose 4.8 percent in the fourth quarter, as retail sales began to reach pre-pandemic levels and redesigned full-size SUVs hit the market.
U.S. sales for the full year decreased 12 percent to 2.5 million vehicles. It marked GM’s strongest fourth quarter on a retail basis since 2007. Retail deliveries increased 12 percent, the automaker said in a statement last month.
Full-year net income fell 4.5 percent from 2019 to $6.4 billion, and adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose 15 percent from 2019 to $9.7 billion
GM shares fell 4.4 percent to $53.61 in early trading Wednesday on Wall Street.
Reuters contributed to this report.