Key Points
- Q2 adjusted EPS came in at $3.06, beating estimates by 12.9%.
- Total revenue of $48 billion exceeded expectations by 6.4%.
- Management raised its full-year guidance for the second consecutive quarter.
General Motors (GM 0.50%), the American auto manufacturing giant, announced its earnings for the second quarter on July 23. The company reported robust financial performance, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.06, surpassing analysts' consensus expectations of $2.71. Total revenue hit $48 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $45.1 billion by 6.4%. This strong quarterly performance has led management to raise its full-year guidance once again.
| Metric | Q2 2024 Result | Q2 2024 Analysts' Estimate | Q2 2023 Result | % Change (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EPS | $3.06 | $2.71 | $1.91 | 60.2% |
| Total revenue | $48.0 billion | $45.1 billion | $44.7 billion | 7.2% |
| Adjusted EBIT | $4.4 billion | N/A | $3.2 billion | 37.2% |
| Net income | $2.9 billion | N/A | $2.6 billion | 14.3% |
| Source: Analysts' estimates for the quarter provided by FactSet. |
The Heart of General Motors
General Motors, a venerable name in the global automotive industry, has been heavily focused recently on executing its electric vehicle (EV) strategy and developing autonomous vehicle technologies. Keys to its success will include scaling up EV production, navigating the regulatory landscape as it regards autonomous vehicles, and leveraging software-enabled services for additional revenue streams.
GM has emphasized its commitment to an all-electric future, and aims to boost its EV production capacity to 1 million units annually in North America by the end of 2025. It remains engaged in cultivating new revenue through software-defined features as exemplified by its OnStar services and end-to-end software platforms.
Quarterly highlights
Financial performance and market position
During the quarter, GM's revenue in North America rose by 7.2% year over year -- driven in part by increased wholesale volumes -- and adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 38.8% to $4.4 billion. Its improved financial health reflects its strong market position in North America. However, the company struggled in China, recording a 78.8% decline in adjusted EBIT to $50 million, illustrating the difficulties posed by reduced demand and stiff competition in that market.
In terms of product highlights, GM's full-size pickup segment gained 1.8 percentage points of retail market share, bringing its total to 43.8% -- an increase it achieved even while offering lower incentives than its competitors. Though it faced production constraints on commercial vans and midsize pickups that impacted its fleet deliveries, GM expects to recover most of that lost volume in the second half of the year.
Autonomous vehicles, regulatory challenges, and better batteries
GM's autonomous vehicle segment, Cruise, reported a $458 million adjusted EBIT loss, improving from a $611 million loss in the prior-year period. However, the segment faced challenges as setbacks resulted in issues with regulators, and California suspended Cruise's robotaxi operations and self-driving vehicle testing in the state, significantly curtailing its activities. Despite this, GM remains committed to advancing self-driving technology.
In terms of electric vehicles, GM's investment in its Ultium battery platform and the conversion of facilities like the Orion Assembly plant for EV production show significant advancements. Furthermore, its joint venture, Ultium Cells Holdings, is scaling up for mass production of battery cells, which will be crucial if it is to meet its goal of producing 1 million EVs annually by 2025.
During the quarter, GM achieved a notable 21% year-over-year increase in customer deliveries of EVs, reflecting growing consumer acceptance of the technology and underscoring GM's substantial progress in this segment.
Software-enabled services and subscription growth
GM continues to expand its software and services portfolio, with OnStar services playing a key role in active safety, infotainment, and connectivity features. Revenue from these services is growing steadily, suggesting it is gaining traction in developing new recurring revenue streams.
Looking ahead
GM management raised its full-year guidance. It now expects adjusted EBIT in the range of $13 billion to $15 billion, adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $9.50 and $10.50, and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $9.5 billion to $11.5 billion. These upward revisions signal management's confidence in sustained strong performance throughout the year.
Investors should monitor GM's progress in scaling up its EV production capacity and addressing the safety concerns regarding its autonomous vehicles. Additionally, watch for continued growth in software-enabled subscriptions, which could provide stable, high-margin revenue streams.
In the coming quarters, GM's ability to navigate market competition in China, maintain momentum in North America, and achieve its EV goals will be critical factors to observe.