Southeast Asia Market Fertile Ground for GM in 2013

Chevrolet finishes 2013 with record-breaking sales in Indonesia, the Philippines and Laos as the General Motors subsidiary delivers 82,884 units in Southeast Asia.

It says in a statement it also boosted export sales 3% to 43,394 units.

Deliveries in Indonesia soared 183% to 14,975 units, while the Philippines surged 54% to 4,926 and Laos jumped 52% to 1,008 units.

Indonesia’s record year was led by the Chevrolet Spin compact MPV, while the Philippines result was led by the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV.

Thai sales reached 56,389 units.

“Our sales results in Thailand was a remarkable achievement, considering the challenges and shifts in the market and in the economy,” Gustavo Colossi, GM Southeast Asia Operations vice president-vehicle sales, service and marketing, says in a statement. “Our confidence in this important market remains strong.”

The Thai government remains under siege from tens of thousands of protesters trying to replace it with an unelected people’s council.

GM Thailand says it also achieved important production milestones in 2013 with the GM Powertrain facility in Rayong topping 100,000 engine builds for the first time since its opening in 2011.

“We have proven our ability to face and endure difficult situations,” Jim DeLuca, GM International Operations vice president-manufacturing. “We also successfully launched new products, won industry recognitions, achieved important production milestones and opened new markets.”

DeLuca says Chevrolet is moving into 2014 with a positive outlook, renewed competitiveness and continued determination to sustain growth in Southeast Asia with a portfolio of quality products, supported by improved customer service.

“We have created a strong momentum in 2013,” he says. “In addition to robust sales, our plan is also to grow our brand and product footprint across the region.”