GM Reports $286 Million 2nd-Qtr Loss as Costs Blunt Sales Gain *GM STILL IN TALKS WITH LABOR UNIONS ON HEALTH- CARE SITUATION *GM SAYS HEALTH COSTS ARE EXTREME BURDEN ON ABILITY TO COMPETE *GM WITHDREW $1B FROM VEBA TRUST TO PAY FOR RETIREE HEALTH CARE *GM NORTH AMERICA 2Q LOSS $1.2B :GM US *GM 2Q LOSS EX-ITEMS 56C-SHR; THOMSON ESTIMATE PROFIT 3C *GM 2Q THOMSON FINANCIAL REVENUE EST. $38.91B :GM US *GM SAYS NORTH AMERICA'S PERFORMANCE STILL `VERY DISAPPOINTING' *GM 2Q TOTAL AUTO & OTHER REVENUE $40.18B :GM US *GM NORTH AMERICA POSTS LOSS, ALL OTHER OPER UNITS PROFITABLE *GM 2Q LOSS PER SHARE 56C EX ITEMS :GM US *GM ADJUSTED LOSS $0.56-SHR, REPORTED LOSS $0.51- SHR :GM US