GM extends run on report more than 20,000 take buyout

SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) -- General Motors shares jumped 4% to $27.59 Thursday, after a local Detroit newspaper reported more than 20,000 hourly workers at GM have accepted buyout offers. With a month remaining before the deadline, that puts GM ahead of its targeted goal of 30,000 by 2008, the Detroit News said, citing sources familiar with the situation. Elsewhere in the automotive industry, shares of Ford Motor and DaimlerChrysler tacked on more than 1% each, while Honda and Toyota drifted lower. This story was supplied by MarketWatch. For further information see www.marketwatch.com.