General Motors sets sales record

Worldwide volumes rose 3 per cent to 2.26 million units compared with vehicle sales of 2.19 million in the same period last year. The rise of the emerging markets boosted sales significantly for the ailing carmaker. The Asia/Pacific region saw an increase of over 20 per cent, whereas Latin America, Africa and the Middle East region all grew volumes by 17 per cent. Results were also helped by GME, the carmaker's European division, where a new quarterly sale record of 554,000 units was set – equivalent to a 6 per cent increase. Several brands recorded new European sales records, including Chevrolet, Saab, Cadillac, Corvette, Hummer and Saab. The Russian market produced the strongest performance as volumes soared by 128 per cent year-on-year. GM recorded its first profit for two years in the final quarter of last year.