A surge in sales of high-profit sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks fueled by zero percent and low interest finance offers will result in higher-than-expected fourth quarter earnings for General Motors Corp., the company's chief financial officer said Jan. 10.

When GM's fourth quarter financial statement is released Jan. 16, GM vice chairman and CFO John Devine expects it will show earnings of about 60

cents a share, 10 cents more than the company's earlier predictions.

Of the 4.8 million vehicles GM sold in the U.S. last year, 2.2 million were trucks. In December, however, GM sold about 100,000 more trucks than cars, due, in part, to its "Keep America Rolling" zero and low interest finance program that began in late September.