The electric car company said profits climbed 17 percent in the third quarter as strong sales of energy products helped to make up for relatively slow auto sales.
Mary Barra, G.M.’s chief executive, said that the company had fixed battery-manufacturing problems and that its electric vehicles would soon be profitable.
The automaker reported a gain of 6.4 percent for the latest quarter, its first such increase this year.
General Motors and the South Korean automaker say they will collaborate on new vehicles, buying parts and clean energy technologies.
Tesla says self-driving taxis will power its growth, but the company hasn’t said when such a service would be ready or how much it would increase profits.
High prices and growing demand have helped U.S. oil producers take in record profits despite global efforts to spur greater use of renewable energy and electric cars.
Rental car firms are offering temporary deals on electric cars, which they are selling after they lost value more quickly than expected.
A Jeep plant that closed last year will be among those that will benefit from federal grants meant to help automotive manufacturers and protect jobs.
A new report estimates that the company led by Elon Musk accounted for just under half of all battery-powered vehicles sold in the second quarter of the year.
Growth in electric vehicle sales has been slowing, but the Italian luxury carmaker is stepping up investment and setting ambitious targets.