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For Third Consecutive Year, GM Sells More Than 9 Million Vehicles Globally |
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Tuesday, 22 January 2008 |
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DETROIT - General Motors sold
9,369,524 cars and trucks around the world in 2007, an increase of 3
percent, according to preliminary sales figures released today. In the
fourth quarter, GM sold 2,305,752 vehicles, an increase of 4.8 percent
compared with a year ago.
"We set a record in China with more than
a million vehicles sold. We nearly doubled our sales in Russia to an
all-time record of more than 258,000 vehicles delivered. And we set a
record in Brazil with nearly a half-million vehicles sold," John
Middlebrook, GM vice president, Global Sales, Service and Marketing
Operations said today. "This is the kind of emerging market growth that
fuels our global performance. Customers are responding to our
fuel-efficient and dynamically-designed product lineup around the
world." The 2007 tally was the second best global sales total in
the company's 100-year history and marked the third consecutive and
fourth time (2007, 2006, 2005 and 1978) GM sold more than 9 million
vehicles in a calendar year. GM's global position - especially the emerging markets - built sales momentum. Global
sales of GM's top-selling brand, Chevrolet, grew more than 4 percent to
4.49 million vehicles compared with 2006 sales of 4.30 million.
Chevrolet grew in all three regions outside North America, with the
strongest performance in Europe with a nearly 34 percent increase
compared with 2006. The Latin America, Africa and Middle East region
saw strong Chevrolet growth with an additional 23 percent (208,000
vehicles) delivered over the 2006 level. Chevrolet also performed well
in the Asia Pacific region, which was up 22 percent. The Aveo helped
Chevrolet field a strong competitor in the very competitive global car
market. GM also retains its strong truck portfolio, evidenced by
3.80 million truck sales around the world, an increase of more than
33,000 vehicles (1 percent) compared with 2006. Chevrolet sold more
than 1.96 million trucks globally last year. GMC global sales grew
nearly 6 percent in 2007, with 613,000 vehicles delivered, compared
with 579,000 in 2006. Wuling sales in the Asia Pacific region also
fueled significant truck, mini-truck, and mini-van performance with
516,000 vehicles sold, a 24 percent increase over 2006. GM increased
full-size pickup truck market share in the U.S. in 2007 by 0.2 ppts to
40.2 percent. Cadillac saw global growth with sales increases
outside of North America last year, thanks to a 45 percent increase in
the Europe, a 42 percent climb in the Latin America, Africa and Middle
East region, and an impressive 106 percent hike in the Asia Pacific
region. Saab saw annual sales increases of 13 percent in the
Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, and 5 percent in Asia
Pacific. In Europe, Saab maintained its market share position (0.4
percent), and with the extension of BioPower to its 9-3 model range,
continues to be the leading brand for E-85 vehicles in Europe. Global sales highlights include: - GM
sold 9.37 million vehicles in 2007, an increase of 3 percent. In the
quarter, sales of 2.31 million vehicles were up 4.8 percent. At 5.50
million vehicles, 2007 sales outside of the United States accounted for
about 59 percent of GM's total global sales, outpacing the industry
average growth rate. The industry has seen significant volume increases
in the global automotive market in the past five years, and the market
now nears 71 million. In 2007, GM's top three brands in sales volume
were Chevrolet (4.49 million, up 4 percent), Opel/Vauxhall (1.69
million vehicles, up 4 percent) and GMC (613,000, up 6 percent).
- In
the Asia Pacific region, GM sales of 1.43 million vehicles topped 1
million vehicles for the third consecutive year, and GM China saw more
than 18 percent sales growth compared with 2006. The company had
regional Q4 sales of 382,000 vehicles, up nearly 17 percent, exceeding
the industry average growth rate. GM was the top-selling global
automaker in China in 2007, with 1.03 million vehicles sold - becoming
the first global automaker to exceed 1 million vehicle sales. Sales in
India also set records with an annual volume growth of 74 percent,
driven by the recent launch of the Chevrolet Spark and strong
performances by the Chevrolet Tavera, Aveo and Optra.
- In
the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, GM sales reached an
all-time record 1.23 million vehicles, exceeding 1 million vehicles for
the second time, up 19 percent in volume compared with 2006. For the
quarter, 341,000 vehicles were sold, up 18 percent. GM saw volume
increases in most major Latin America, Africa and Middle East markets
in 2007. GM Brazil set an all-time domestic sales record with 499,000
vehicles delivered. The Chevrolet Corsa, Aveo and Celta were the three
top sellers across the region in 2007.
- In Europe, GM's
record sales - for the second year - exceeded 2.18 million vehicles, up
about 9 percent. Sales for the quarter of 529,000 vehicles were up 11
percent, exceeding the industry average. Full-year sales in Russia set
an all-time record for the company by nearly doubling, up 95 percent.
Sales volume in Russia exceeded a quarter million vehicles.
Opel/Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Cadillac reported sales growth in Europe.
Strong performance by the new Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Zafira led
Opel/Vauxhall sales to more than 4 percent growth. Chevrolet achieved
record sales of 458,000 vehicles, up nearly 34 percent. Cadillac sales
were up 45 percent. Saab sold nearly 85,000 vehicles.
Several of GM's regional brands also experienced notable growth in 2007. Saturn
sales in North America were up 8 percent compared with 2006, largely on
the popularity of the new 2007 AURA, AURA Hybrid, SKY, OUTLOOK, VUE,
and VUE Green Line Hybrid. GM Holden sold 158,000 vehicles in
2007 as the Commodore remained Australia's best-selling car for the
12th consecutive year. Holden held its second-place position in the
country's automotive market. 2008 marks Holden's 60th anniversary producing Australia's first locally-developed vehicle. Note: Global sales results are based on preliminary numbers reported. |
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