Nov 15 (Reuters) - General Motors ( GM ) is laying off

nearly 1,000 workers worldwide, mostly in the U.S., as it looks

to streamline operations, a source told Reuters on Friday.

GM confirmed in a statement it had made job cuts but did not

specify a number.

"In order to win in this competitive market, we need to

optimize for speed and excellence," the Detroit automaker said.

"As part of this continuous effort, we've made a small number of

team reductions."

GM has been seeking to reposition itself as a leader in

electric vehicles and software, which are both costly. The

automaker is aiming to cut $2 billion to $4 billion in losses on

electric vehicles next year.

According to a state filing, the reductions include 507

employees at GM's tech center in Warren, Michigan.

In August, GM laid off more than 1,000 workers in its

software department as it worked to streamline the team. GM also

laid off about 1,700 workers at a Kansas manufacturing plant in

September.

One of its most significant reductions was in 2023, when

about 5,000 GM salaried workers took buyouts to leave.

Cost-cutting efforts have intensified across Detroit's

carmakers and the global industry as companies race to make EVs

profitably and compete with Tesla and China's powerful

auto companies.

Stellantis ( STLA ) laid off thousands of salaried and

hourly workers this year, including about 2,450 workers at a

Michigan plant in August and 1,100 workers at an Ohio plant

earlier this month.

Ford Motor ( F ) cut shifts at its F-150 Lightning electric

pickup plant in Michigan, which will be idled through year-end

as the company grapples with weaker-than-expected demand for the

EV.

Global automakers including Nissan ( NSANF ) and Volkswagen

have also warned of significant layoffs.