General Motors on Tuesday reported a third consecutive year of losses in 2007, with strong earnings from emerging economies offset by continuing problems in its big North American and European operations.

The Detroit-based carmaker said that it expected an improvement in automotive operating results this year. But it indicated that the biggest push to earnings would not come until 2010 and 2011, when it reaps the full benefits of last year’s labour contract with the United Auto Workers union and an anticipated full recovery in the US vehicle market.