GM signals more cuts

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors expects to meet or exceed its target for a 20% reduction in the cost of its salaried workforce, but a worsening sales outlook is likely to force additional cost and staffing reductions, a company spokesman said Thursday.

Final numbers on an early retirement program announced this summer are not yet available, said GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson, as many who signed up are still within a window during which they can change their mind. The final figure is due on Nov. 1.

GM has 32,000 U.S. salaried employees, and since it has set a 20% cost target rather than a headcount reduction goal, it has yet to say how many employees it expects will be leaving the company under the program. The company has previously announced some changes in health insurance for salaried staff that will meet some of the cost cut target.

Given the continued contraction in both North America and European sales, further moves to cut costs are likely, Wilkinson confirmed, including possible additional job reductions.

"We'll continue to assess our overall staffing needs," Wilkinson said. "Everybody in the business is looking at ways to tighten their belt."

The plans are detailed in a letter from Bill Tate, the head of human resources for GM North America, informing executives that GM (GM, Fortune 500) is taking immediate steps to reduce costs. They include suspending its matching contributions to 401(k) as of Nov. 1, and also suspending tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance as of the end of the year.

GM's U.S. sales have plunged 18% so far this year, while European sales have also fallen.

No additional cost or headcount reduction target is spelled out in the letter. There was also discussion of a potential merger between GM and Chrysler LLC. Talks of a possible combination have been widely reported, but it is not clear such a deal will be able to be completed.