The biggest US automaker forecast 2019 profits of $6.50 to $7.00 a share, compared to the $5.88 now expected by Wall Street analysts. GM also said it sees 2018 earnings per share as exceeding analyst expectations.
GM has defended the job cuts as needed to position the company long-term, in part by providing funds to build autonomous cars and other new offerings.
"We are focused on strengthening our cash generation and creating efficiencies that will position us to take advantage of opportunities through the cycle," Chief Financial Officer Dhivya Suryadevara said in a statement.
Shares of the auto giant surged 8.0 percent in morning trading to $37.52.
The auto giant also announced plans in 2019 to position its electric cars under the Cadillac brand and to launch a new global line of lower-cost models aimed at emerging markets.
Global markets have been shaken in recent weeks amid worries over slowing global growth due in part to weakness in China amid the trade confrontation with Washington, and to some forecasts indicating the US will tip into recession in 2020.
But GM offered a solid outlook for its home market, estimating overall US sales in 2019 in the "low 17-million range," a good level, and projecting no sales drop in China.
The company plans new launches in China, although it also sees continued pricing pressure. Overall, GM expects a "moderate decline" in profits from China, Suryadevara told reporters GM Chief Executive Mary Barra was upbeat on the prospects for a US-China trade deal, characterizing this week's talks between US and Chinese officials as "constructive."
GM said it was on track to launch in 2019 a new global vehicle aimed at emerging markets, beginning in China, followed by South America and Mexico. The vehicles are expected to account for 10 percent of GM's global sales by 2020.