GM Hourly Workers to Receive Lower Profit-Sharing Payouts in 2025

Automaker posts $2.7 billion in full-year earnings despite $3.3 billion Q4 loss

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:55am

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More than 47,000 hourly workers at General Motors will receive $10,500 in profit-sharing payments for 2025, down from record payouts of up to $14,500 the previous year. The automaker posted $12.7 billion in EBIT-adjusted earnings for 2025 despite uncertainty and costs related to tariffs and a shift away from policies supporting electric vehicle development.

Why it matters

GM's profit-sharing payouts to hourly workers are a key indicator of the company's financial performance and its ability to weather economic headwinds. The lower payouts in 2025 compared to 2024 highlight the challenges GM faced, including tariffs and a shift in government policies, even as it maintained profitability through strong sales of gas-powered trucks and SUVs.

The details

GM's 2025 profit-sharing payouts of $10,500 per worker are down from the record $14,500 payouts in 2024, despite the company posting $2.7 billion in full-year earnings. The automaker's EBIT-adjusted earnings for the year were $12.7 billion. However, GM also incurred $4.6 billion in cash impact from fees for broken contracts and EV production equipment write-offs totaling $3 billion.

  • GM posted full-year 2025 earnings on January 28, 2026.
  • The company will pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share on March 19, 2026 to holders of common stock at the close of trading on March 6, 2026.

The players

General Motors Co.

An American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts, and sells financial services, with its global headquarters in Detroit, Michigan.

Mary Barra

The chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors.

United Auto Workers

An American labor union that represents workers in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, and the agricultural implement industry.

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What they’re saying

“Focusing too much on short-term gains in the U.S. market with trucks and SUVs also brings the risk of falling behind globally, where analysts still predict EVs will be the future.”

— Mary Barra, CEO (gmtoday.com)

What’s next

GM's board of directors approved a $6 billion share repurchase authorization, which the company plans to execute in the coming months.

The takeaway

GM's 2025 profit-sharing payouts to hourly workers, while lower than the previous year, still reflect the company's ability to maintain profitability despite headwinds. However, the automaker faces the challenge of balancing short-term gains from gas-powered vehicles with the need to invest in electric vehicle development to stay competitive in the long run.