GM Notches Record in Q1 Global Vehicle Sales

General Motors Corp. says it sold a record 2.26 million cars and trucks worldwide in the first quarter, a 3% gain from the 2.19 million delivered a year ago, thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and record volume in Europe.

Sales reached 1.36 million vehicles outside the U.S., up nearly 10% from year-ago and outpacing industry sales growth of 5%. The total means GM delivered more cars and trucks outside the U.S. (60%) than in its home country.

“We saw more than 20% growth in the Asia/Pacific region and had 17% growth in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East (LAAM) region,” John Middlebrook, vice president- Global Sales, Service and Marketing Operations, says. “We’re also very pleased to see 6% growth in Europe, where we sold more than a half-million vehicles and established a new sales record.”

Several brands posted strong quarters, the auto maker notes, with Chevrolet sales up 3.8% to 1.04 million units on a 33% gain in Europe, 12% hike in the Asia/Pacific and 19% rise in the LAAM region.

Hummer sold 15,000 vehicles globally and Cadillac sales jumped 89% in Europe, 47% in the Asia/Pacific and 55% in LAAM. However, Hummer (down 23.3%) and Cadillac (off 3.9%) both suffered overall declines.

Sales of GM’s Wuling brand in China jumped 26.1% on a volume of 163,945 units. Pontiac deliveries were off 18.5% and the Saab brand slipped 10.5%.