GM China Sales Pass 100,000 in January

General Motors Corp. cracks the 100,000-unit monthly sales mark in China for the first time, Reuters reports.

The auto maker says it sold 101,926 vehicles during January in China. Car sales via its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. totaled 40,570 units, while sales at its commercial-vehicle tie-up in south China totaled 61,200. GM does not provide monthly comparative sales figures.

Ward’s data shows GM sold 104,102 cars and 140,622 trucks in January in the U.S., down 19.8% from year-ago.

In 2006, GM and its Chinese partners sold 876,747 vehicles, a 31.8% jump over prior-year. Sales for Buick, GM’s flagship brand in China, rose 24.9% to 304,230 units, while Chevrolet brand deliveries increased 36.8% to 145,392.

Chevy’s best-selling model in China in 2006 was the Spark small car, which sold 40,015 units.

GM plans to introduce 10 new or upgraded models in China this year. The auto maker estimates its market share in mainland China now stands at 11.8%.