GM sells more than 2.2 million vehicles from January to April 2007

GM sells more than 2.2 million vehicles from January to April 2007

by Gertrude Sayzer

According to preliminary sales figures released earlier this week, General Motors sold a record of 2.26 million cars and trucks, along with their GM truck accessories, around the world this year from January to April. GM global first quarter sales were up 67,000 vehicles, or 3 percent, compared with sales of 2.19 million in the first quarter of 2006.

GM Vice President John Middlebrook said GM's posted record sales in the first quarter was driven by exceptionally strong demand in emerging markets such as the global sales, service and marketing operations. He further said the company saw more than 20 percent growth in the Asia/Pacific region and had 17 percent growth in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region. He added that the 6 percent growth in Europe where they sold more than a half-million vehicles and established a new sales record was very significant to them.

Three cars from GM are showing a global success, each showing their most marketable GM truck part: Chevrolet, HUMMER and Cadillac.

A 4 percent increase from last year was seen in the Chevrolet global sales of 1.04 million vehicles. The global increase was attributed to a 33 percent growth in Europe, 12 percent in Asia- Pacific and 19 percent in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

GM also retains its strong luxury truck portfolio growth, due to the incomparable GM truck parts, which comprise the vehicle. Evidence is the HUMMER sales that grew 37 percent in the Latin America, Africa and the Middle East region. Around the world, HUMMER recorded 15,000 vehicle sales. With the Hummer H2 mid-cycle enhancement, addition of the V8-powered HUMMER H3 Alpha in North America and start of production of the right hand-drive HUMMER H3 in South Africa, HUMMER products are well-positioned to respond to demanding customers' needs.

Outside North America, Cadillac had a sales increase due to the 89 percent sales growth in Europe, a 55 percent increase in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East and 47 percent growth in Asia/Pacific.

Several GM regional brands also experienced notable growth in the first quarter of 2007.

Opel and Vauxhall, for instance sold 443,000 vehicles for the months January to April this year. Vauxhall was up 6.3 percent and Opel was up about a half percent with 1,200 more vehicles sold this year compared with those sold in the first quarter of 2006. The brands achieved segment leadership with Opel Meriva and Opel Zafira -- in the monocab segment -- and second position with Opel Astra in the popular compact segment.

Largely based on the popularity of the new 2007 Saturn Aura, 2007 Saturn Sky, 2007 Saturn Vue, 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, and 2007 Saturn Outlook crossover utility vehicles, Saturn sales in the United States and Canada were up by 19 percent. Saturn anticipates stronger sales this year as it continues the launch of the Saturn Outlook crossover and welcomes Saturn Astra, the Ion small-car replacement,. Reports say Saturn is undergoing the most extensive product rebirth in its history.

Not minding South Korea's strong market growth on the back of its Winstorm SUV and Tosca medium car, Daewoo sales of 35,000 vehicles were up 31 percent.

GM expects more increased sales these coming years as it continues to innovate what was then already way far from others.