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GM: 77 Years At The Top

 

 

25th January, 2008

2008 Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept Car 
Image Copyright: General Motors

General Motors sold 9,369,524 cars and trucks around the world in 2007, an increase of 3 per cent over the 2006 result, according to preliminary sales figures. In doing so, the company is the world's largest manufacturer of motor vehicles for the 77th consecutive year.

During the fourth quarter 2007, GM sold 2,305,752 vehicles, an increase of 4.8 per cent 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. "This is the kind of emerging market growth that fuels our global performance. Customers are responding to our fuel-efficient and dynamically-designed product line-up 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 single 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 per cent 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 per cent increase compared with 2006. The Latin America, Africa and Middle East region saw strong Chevrolet growth with an additional 23 per cent (208,000 vehicles) delivered over the 2006 level. Chevrolet also performed well in the Asia Pacific region, which was up 22 per cent. 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 per cent) compared with 2006. Chevrolet sold more than 1.96 million trucks globally last year. GMC global sales grew nearly 6 per cent 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 per cent increase over 2006. GM increased full-size pick-up truck market share in the U.S. in 2007 by 0.2 points to 40.2 per cent.

Cadillac saw global growth with sales increases outside of North America last year, thanks to a 45 per cent increase in the Europe, a 42 per cent climb in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, and an impressive 106 per cent hike in the Asia Pacific region.

Saab saw annual sales increases of 13 per cent in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, and 5 per cent in Asia Pacific. In Europe, Saab maintained its market share position (0.4 per cent) 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 per cent. In the quarter, sales of 2.31 million vehicles were up 4.8 per cent. At 5.50 million vehicles, 2007 sales outside of the United States accounted for about 59 per cent 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 per cent), Opel/Vauxhall (1.69 million vehicles, up 4 per cent) and GMC (613,000, up 6 per cent).
  • 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 per cent sales growth compared with 2006. The company had regional Q4 sales of 382,000 vehicles, up nearly 17 per cent, exceeding the industry average growth rate. GM was the top-selling global vehicle maker in China in 2007, with 1.03 million vehicles sold - becoming the first global vehicle maker to exceed 1 million unit sales. Sales in India also set records with an annual volume growth of 74 per cent, 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 per cent in volume compared with 2006. For the quarter, 341,000 vehicles were sold, up 18 per cent. 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 per cent. Sales for the quarter of 529,000 vehicles were up 11 per cent, exceeding the industry average. Full-year sales in Russia set an all-time record for the company by nearly doubling, up 95 per cent. 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 per cent growth. Chevrolet achieved record sales of 458,000 vehicles, up nearly 34 per cent. Cadillac sales were up 45 per cent. 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 per cent 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. The year 2008 marks Holden's 60th anniversary producing Australia's first locally-developed vehicle.


Note: Global sales results are based on preliminary numbers.



Other General Motors content: here.

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