VAUXHALL parent group General Motors (GM) reported profits in North America for the fourth quarter, but continued losses in its European arm.
Net income for the final quarter was $898m, compared with $468m a year earlier.
The increase was helped by its North American and Asian markets, but heavy losses still afflict Europe as the dire economic conditions affect car sales.
GM made $1.4bn pre-tax in North America, which was down $102m from last year.
But losses in Europe worsened as the company had predicted, to $699m.
GM’s international operations, which include China and the rest of Asia, earned $473m.
In the full year GM earned $4.9bn, which was down from $7.6bn in 2011, mainly due to the depressed European market.
Revenue for the year rose 1% to $152.3bn.
Chief financial officer Dan Ammann said: “We’ve established a clear track record of profitability over the last three years.
“It’s a reflection of our confidence in the fact that we’re going to generate significant profitability in the North American market going forward.”
He added that GM still expects to break even in Europe, on a pre-tax basis, by the middle of the decade.
Vauxhall employs about 2,500 staff at its Ellesmere Port plant making the Astra model.
