Monday, July 9, 2007

GM Europe January-June 2007 Sales Reach All-Time Record

* GME market share up 0.3 point to 9.6 percent
* GME records best sales quarter ever in Q2
* Chevrolet reaches all-time record for sales volume and market share
* Opel Corsa sales grow 50 percent
* Vauxhall top of UK sales chart for June


In the first semester of 2007, General Motors (GM) Europe sales reached an all-time record of 1,127,871 units*, an increase of 56,373 compared to the first half of 2006. The company market share reached 9.6 percent, up 0.3 point from the previous first half.

GME second quarter sales volume was also an all-time record, at 574,246 units, an increase of 26,016 compared to the same quarter in 2006.

“We are building momentum thanks to an integrated group brand strategy in Europe. At the same time we are taking advantage of an overhauled product portfolio and an aggressive growth strategy in Central and Eastern Europe, where Chevrolet is becoming a major player. Our different strategies for Western and Eastern Europe are allowing us to maintain sales growth while also continuing to improve our revenue performance and the overall quality of our sales”, said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.

Chevrolet reaches all-time records for sales volume and market share
Chevrolet again achieved great sales performance, breaking record after record. The brand volume in the January-June period was an all-time record of 215,315 units, over 30% up from the first half of 2006, and the market share grew 0.4 point, to 1.8 percent. June was the 50th consecutive record month for Chevrolet.

The brand’s results in the second quarter also confirmed Chevrolet’s growth potential. Sales volume reached 114,610 units. Market share was up to 1.9 percent, establishing a new all-time record.

“The Chevrolet portfolio offers the right value for our customers which is clearly reflected in our continued sales growth”, said Browning. “After expanding the range with the introduction of the Captiva and additional diesel versions of Epica, Lacetti and Nubira, we are attracting more and more customers and achieving our most significant growth in Central and Eastern Europe”, said Browning.

Opel Corsa sales grow 50%
The new Opel Corsa is having a very strong performance in its first full year of sales, with 50 percent growth compared to 2006. Opel/Vauxhall sold 243,540 units of the model from January to June, up from 162,391 in the previous first half.

The Opel Corsa is the overall best selling car in Greece and the best selling small car in Germany and Ireland. In June, the model led the small car segment also in markets like the UK, Switzerland and Portugal.

“The new Opel Corsa was built to be a winner. The Opel Corsa has won numerous awards across Europe and is already proving its qualities in the market”, said Browning.

Vauxhall top of UK sales chart for June
Exciting new products and innovative environmental campaigns boosted Vauxhall sales and the brand became number one in the UK market in June, with 33,161 cars registered and a 14.88 percent share.

The Vauxhall Astra was the overall number one best seller in UK, with a total of 10,425 units, up 29.6 percent compared to June 2006. Vauxhall Vectra, Vauxhall Zafira and the new Vauxhall Corsa were all number one in class.

For the first six months of 2007, Vauxhall sales reached 203,117 units, with 13.9 percent market share, up 0.6 point from the first half of 2006.

“This strong result was boosted by sales to private buyers, and shows the Vauxhall brand is meeting the expectations of a growing number of customers in the UK”, said Browning.

The sales results in the UK also helped to offset significant reductions in the German market, keeping Opel/Vauxhall share stable in Europe, at 7.4 percent in the period January-June.

Saab sold 45,275 units in Europe in the first six months of 2007, with a market share of 0.4 percent, while Cadillac, HUMMER and Corvette sold 3,744 units.

GM Europe publishes its sales press releases on a quarterly basis. The next dates will be October 8 and January 7. In between these releases, individual questions regarding sales may be directed to Nelson Silveira, Manager, GM Europe Corporate Communications.

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