DETROIT - General Motors Friday reported a $15.5-billion loss for the second quarter, a loss that was far beyond analysts' wildest expectations.

included charges related to the restructuring announced in mid-July that includes more job cuts and additional closings of SUV and truck plants. Without those charges, GM's loss was $6.3 billion. That compares with a profit of about $784 million in the year-ago second quarter. The loss was GM's third largest in history.

GM's global vehicle sales dropped, as did revenues. Virtually all of those declines came in the weak North American market, where consumers have rapidly switched from profit-rich SUVs and pickup trucks to fuel-sipping, less-profitable small vehicles. GM saw substantial growth in vehicle sales and revenues from overseas markets, but not enough to offset its nosedive in North America.

In addition, the hangover continued from the strike by workers at supplier American Axle, which forced GM to close 30 North American plants, and local strikes by GM's own. GM also continues to be bogged down by the albatross of bankrupt Delphi, in which GM is pumping cash to keep it afloat.

GM President Fritz Henderson said in a conference call with analysts and media Friday morning that the pressure will continue through year-end as GM has downgraded its full-year 2008 forecast for industry sales to about 14.5 million cars and trucks sold instead of the near 15 million that it had previously anticipated.