10-KPeriod: FY2010

General Motors Co Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2010

Filed March 1, 2011For Securities:GM

Summary

General Motors Company (GM) filed its 2010 10-K on March 1, 2011, marking a pivotal year following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2009. The company emphasized its "new GM" with a stronger balance sheet and competitive cost structure, focusing on building market share, improving vehicle quality, and leading in advanced energy-saving technologies. A significant event was the company's successful public offering in November and December 2010, which raised substantial capital and listed its common stock on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. Operationally, GM reported worldwide vehicle sales of 8.4 million units in 2010, an increase from 7.5 million in 2009, with a global market share of 11.4%. The company also completed the acquisition of AmeriCredit in October 2010, renaming it General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (GM Financial), to strengthen its automotive financing segment. The filing highlights GM's strategic focus on product development, global sales expansion (particularly in emerging markets like China), cost reduction, and maintaining a strong balance sheet to regain an investment-grade credit rating.

Financial Highlights

35 data points
Beta

Revenue

$135.59B

12.4% Gross Margin

Net Income

$6.17B

4.6% Net Margin

Total Assets

$138.90B

Cash & Equivalents

$21.26B

Free Cash Flow

$2.58B

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$135.59B
Cost of Revenue$118.77B
Gross Profit$16.82B
R&D Expenses$6.96B
Operating Expenses$130.48B
Operating Income$5.11B
Interest Expense$1.14B
Net Income$6.17B

Key Highlights

  • 1Successful completion of a public offering in November/December 2010, listing common stock on the NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange, raising significant capital.
  • 2Acquisition of AmeriCredit in October 2010, strengthening the automotive financing segment under the new name General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (GM Financial).
  • 3Reported worldwide vehicle sales of 8.4 million units in 2010, an increase from 7.5 million in 2009, reflecting a gradual recovery in the automotive market.
  • 4Reduced U.S. dealership count to 4,500 by year-end 2010 as part of a strategic initiative to streamline retail channels.
  • 5Invested significantly in research and development, focusing on fuel efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid and electric technologies, and hydrogen fuel cells, including the launch of the Chevrolet Volt.
  • 6Addressed significant pension plan underfunding, making substantial cash and stock contributions to U.S. hourly and salaried pension plans.
  • 7Repaid substantial government debt early, including the UST Loans and Canadian Loan, ahead of maturity dates, demonstrating improved financial flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2010, GM reported total net sales and revenue of $135.6 billion, a significant increase from $57.5 billion in the Successor period of 2009. The company generated a net income of $6.5 billion, a substantial improvement from a net loss of $3.8 billion in the Successor period of 2009. This turnaround reflects the positive impact of the restructuring, improved market conditions, and strategic initiatives implemented post-bankruptcy.

GM made significant efforts to address its underfunded pension plans. In December 2010, the company made a $4.0 billion cash contribution to its U.S. hourly and salaried pension plans. Additionally, in January 2011, GM contributed 61 million shares of its common stock, valued at $2.2 billion, to these plans. These actions aimed to improve the funded status of the plans and mitigate associated financial risks.

The acquisition of AmeriCredit in October 2010 for $3.5 billion was a key strategic move to bolster GM's financial services arm, GM Financial. This acquisition allows GM to offer a more comprehensive range of financing options to its customers, particularly in leasing and sub-prime financing, which is crucial for driving vehicle sales and supporting its dealer network.

GM's strategic priorities include delivering world-class products by focusing on fewer brands and architectures, expanding global sales by targeting developed and emerging markets, improving revenue realization and maintaining a competitive cost structure to ensure profitability at lower industry volumes, and strengthening its balance sheet by reducing financial leverage to achieve a long-term investment-grade credit rating. The company is also heavily investing in advanced propulsion technologies like electric vehicles and fuel efficiency improvements.