GM reports much higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit
Excluding special items, the largest U.S. automaker earned $1.19 per share, compared with the analysts' average estimate of 83 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Net income rose to $1.1 billion, or 66 cents a share, from $900 million, or 57 cents a share, a year earlier.
North American profit margins for the full year were 6.5 percent. Excluding the additional costs for a record vehicle recall in 2014, the margin would have been 8.9 percent, GM said.
(Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)