GM regains ‘World No1 Automaker’ crown from Toyota

 •Chevrolet records best ever global sales
By Moses Akaigwe [igwemos@sunnewsonline]

The popular Chevrolet brand sold 4.76 million vehicles around the world in 2011, setting a new global sales record, which has driven General Motors’ (GM’s) global sales to more than nine million vehicles, up eight per cent compared with 2010.

 With this performance, General Motors has regained its title as the world’s top-selling automaker from Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. The Detroit-based automaker’s return to the top slot comes after its 2009 tax payer-funded bankruptcy restructuring allowed it to cut its spiraling legacy costs.
 According to the figures released by GM a few days ago, U.S. led the way for Chevrolet with total vehicle sales of 1,775,812 up more than 13 percent from 2010.

 China posted record sales of 595,068, up 9.5 percent from the previous year. Other markets that posted significant year-over-year increases include Vietnam (79 percent), Russia (49 percent), Turkey (30 percent) and Germany (21percent).
 “Chevrolet’s impressive growth in both established and developing markets is the result of a strong new product lineup that meets the diverse needs of consumers around the world,” said GM Chairman and CEO, Dan Akerson. “In addition to Chevrolet’s record setting sales, the entire portfolio of brands further strengthened GM’s position in today’s competitive global marketplace.”

 Chevrolet is building its global presence by delivering cars like the Cruze, Sonic (Aveo) and Spark, the all new mid-size global Malibu, and crossovers and trucks like the Orlando and Colorado that are designed for the varied driving conditions and customer preferences around the world. Some of the cars are already doing well in the Nigerian market where Chevrolet is sold by CFAO Auto Group (through one of its member-companies,NMI Intermotors).

 The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan led the brand with global sales of more than 670,000 in 2011, making it the best-selling Chevrolet nameplate around the world with more than 1.13million sold since its launch in 2009. In the U.S., Chevrolet was the best selling passenger car brand in 2011, thanks in large part to the success of the Cruze. More than 15 markets experienced record Chevrolet sales in 2011 with the largest year-over-year increases in South Africa (119 percent), Peru (81percent), Vietnam (79 percent), Thailand (57 percent) and Israel (46 percent). The top 10 Chevrolet sales markets in 2011 were:
 United States 1,775,812 ; Brazil 632,201; China 595,068; Russia 173,485; Mexico 162,461; Canada 150,540; Argentina 133,491; Uzbekistan 121,584; India 111,056; and Columbia 105,783

 “Without doubt the new Chevrolet portfolio has been a catalyst for our success around the world,” said Tim Lee, President of General Motors International Operations. “The launch of the Chevrolet brand in South Korea along with tremendous growth in China and across the rest of our international operations is proof that Chevrolet is becoming a first choice for customers around the globe. “In 2012, we will continue to expand our range with even more great vehicles as we pursue further growth in our key markets.”

 As Chevrolet enters its second century, it continues to become a more global brand, with more than 60 percent of its sales outside the U.S. market. Sales for all GM reporting regions increased year over year. The company’s two largest markets in 2011 were China, where GM and its joint venture partners increased sales 8.3 percent year-over-year to 2,547,203 vehicles, and the United States, where GM sold 2,503,820 vehicles, up 13.0 percent compared with 2010. GM is the market leader in both countries. The company also increased its share of the global vehicle industry to 11.9 percent in 2011 compared with 11.5 percent in 2010.