GM's Fortunes Taking a Turn for the Better

General Motors Co. says it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business.

General Motors Corp. President and CEO Fritz Henderson speaks during a news conference at company headquarters in Detroit, Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. General Motors Co. says it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business.(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, the General Motors logo is seen on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. General Motors Co. said Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

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Snow covers the company logo on the grille of an unsold 2010 Sierra pickup truck at a GMC Truck dealership in Lone Tree, Colo., on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. General Motors Co. said Monday it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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In this Nov. 1, 2009 photo, unsold 2009 Chevrolet Suburbans sit in a long row under a General Motors sign at a Chevrolet dealership in Englewood, Colo. General Motors Co. said Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The company also says it will begin repaying $6.7 billion in U.S. government loans with a $1.2 billion payment in December. It could pay off the full amount by 2011, four years ahead of schedule, but the money will come from funds loaned by the government.