GM Middle East registers 22 percent sales growth in first half of 2011

General Motors’ dealers in the Middle East reported total sales of 67,624 vehicles in the first half of 2011 – up 22 percent compared to the same period in 2010.

The sales growth was recorded throughout the region for the company’s line-up of passenger cars, crossovers, sport utility vehicles and pickups across its three brands: Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac. 

Retail sales - purchases made by individual customers – rose by 54 percent and represented a healthy 71 percent of total sales. 

The drive in showroom traffic was fuelled by demand for GM’s newest models. The combined total sales of the Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu, Camaro and Captiva; the GMC Terrain; and the Cadillac SRX and CTS Coupe increased by 35 percent during the first six months of 2011. 

Over the same period, sales of passenger cars increased by 26 percent. Combined sales of SUVs and crossovers were up 19 percent, while pickups experienced 37 percent sales growth. 

In addition, total sales of Chevrolet soared by 29 percent during the first half of 2011, while sales of GMC experienced a 15 percent increase. 

“June capped an outstanding performance in the first half of 2011 for us in the Middle East. Our newest models are driving showroom traffic, which is fuelling the impressive growth of our retail sales across the region,” said John Stadwick, President and Managing Director of General Motors Middle East Operations.

“In 2011, we have increased our investment in new customer facilities and customer care training across the region. As we strive to create a world-class shopping, buying and ownership experience; consideration for our passenger cars, crossovers, sport utility vehicles and pickups continues to grow among our customers.” 

June solidified a successful first half of 2011 for GM Middle East with monthly sales growth of 27 percent - the sixth consecutive month in 2011 of double-digit sales growth. During the same month, GMC sales grew by 39 percent representing its second best monthly sales performance over the past 32 months. 

Passenger  Cars

Total sales of GM passenger cars grew by 26 percent during the first half of 2011. The gain was driven by robust sales of the Chevrolet Cruze, which were up 63 percent compared to the same period in 2010. Cadillac CTS sales rose 40 percent, spurred by strong demand for the all-new CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe. 

SUVs and Crossovers

Across Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac, total sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) increased by 27 percent during the first half of 2011. The Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe were the best performing SUV nameplates during the period with sales growth of 43 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

Crossover sales across all three brands fell by 11 percent over the first half of 2011. However, since its launch in March, the GMC Terrain has generated strong demand, while year-on-year sales of the Chevrolet Traverse are up 32 percent. 

Pickups

Total sales for GM’s pickups – the Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche and Colorado, and the GMC Sierra, rose 37 percent compared to the first six months of 2010. The Silverado was the star performer with impressive sales growth of 53 percent over the period.