Reuters Breakingviews delivers agenda-setting financial insight. Its global correspondents react to stories as they develop, delivering sharp and provocative commentary on big financial news as it breaks.

The General Motors recovery is starting to show some cracks. America’s largest auto maker reported a fourth-quarter profit of $900-million (U.S.) on Thursday – pretty decent considering the losses it’s taking in Europe. But unlike at rival Ford, GM’s performance in North America was disappointing. The company’s no lemon, but chief executive officer Dan Akerson needs to show that the last three months of 2012 were a blip.