GM, Chrysler Earnings Spurt

General Motors Corp., taking an $894-million gain from bookkeeping changes, said today its third-quarter earnings more than doubled from a year earlier to $812 million, or $2.28 per share of common stock.

No. 3 Chrysler Corp.’s profits rose in the third quarter to 7.7% above the corresponding period last year, or $253 million, or $1.15 per share, the auto maker reported today. On Monday, Ford Motor Co. reported a 1.4% third-quarter income rise to a record $703 million.