(Thumbnail image: Sky News)

“What I’ve heard today from General Motors is a very strong commitment and praise for the production, efficiency, quality of the workforce both at Ellesmere Port and Luton.”

That was British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson talking to SKY News about General Motors' commitment to keeping plants open in the U.K.  The American automaker received billions in bailouts from the U.S. government but is intent on growing as a global brand.

GM was in the news this week after it released its third quarter figures and said it will begin to pay back some of the bailout money next month.

We’re looking at perspectives from ABC News, BBC News, The New York Times, Business Week, and Business News Network.  

GM plans to use some of the bailout money to restructure European accounts and GM CEO says he believes the company can run a strong global business.  But ABC News’ Jake Tapper looks at the reaction in America.

"It means, in essence, U.S. taxpayer dollars would help shore up jobs overseas at the same time GM is cutting tens of thousands of American jobs, raising eyebrows.  ‘It’s not wise or helpful that our taxpayer dollars are being used to support the global efforts of these companies.’ And outraging some members of Congress.  ‘I don’t think most Americans believe that when the taxpayer bailouts were happening, it was intended for that purpose.  It was intended to protect the American economy, not take the money overseas.”

And with GM unsure about their future market shares in North America, BBC News reports that the company has been concentrating on selling vehicles in China.  

“GM said the market in China was proving to be a particularly strong contributor to its results. It is predicting 'modest growth' in the global car industry in 2010.”

The New York Times agrees that China has been important to GM not losing as much money as expected, but says they still must focus on making money at home.

“There were bright spots in G.M.’s third-quarter performance, notably the profits it earned in international markets like China and South America.  But the true measure of any comeback will be whether G.M. can earn a profit in North America.”  

BusinessWeek takes a look at the figures, which shows overseas growth is important to GM.

“GM made $238 million overseas but lost $651 million in North America. Growth overseas helped GM boost revenue by $5 billion in the quarter, to $28 billion.”

Finally, an automotive analyst tells the Business News Network that it is still a positive for the U.S. if GM makes money overseas.  

"They are continuing to grow in other parts of the world, of course in China in particular, and any of that revenue that’s generated in other parts of the world eventually comes back to the States, and again, helps them rebuild company." 

So what do you think?  Should GM be allowed to use federal bailout overseas?  And will the automaker succeed overseas?

Writer: Michael Bittner

Producer: Erika Roberts