Chevrolet passenger cars boost General Motors May sales by 27 percent in the Middle East

General Motors’ dealers in the Middle East reported total sales of 12,800 vehicles in May, a 27 percent increase versus a year ago, driven by sales of Chevrolet passenger cars.

Combined sales of Chevrolet passenger cars in May, including the Cruze, Malibu, Aveo and Optra, increased by 36 percent.

Total sales of Chevrolet rose by 36 percent during the month, while sales of GMC experienced a 17 percent increase.

The strong figures represent the best ever May monthly sales on record and the fifth consecutive month of double-digit total sales growth in 2011. It contributed to year-to-date total sales growth of 21 percent for the first five months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Retail sales, those to individual customers, rose 58 percent versus May 2010 and represented a healthy 71 percent of GM Middle East’s total sales in the month. Year-to-date retail sales increased by 52 percent for the first five months of 2011.

“We registered our best ever May monthly sales, beating a record that had stood since 2006. This is thanks to our new, award-winning line-up of passenger cars that is driving showroom traffic and growing retail sales,” said John Stadwick, President and Managing Director of GM Middle East Operations. “With the addition of new passenger cars to our already strong range of SUVs, crossovers and pickups, we expect our impressive sales momentum to continue throughout the year.”

GMC Achieves Retail Sales Record

In May, GMC registered an impressive 46 percent increase in retail sales. Driven by a retail sales rise of 68 percent for the Yukon, it represented the highest GMC retail sales month result in the past 32 months.

GM’s Newest Vehicles Increase Sales By 25 Percent in May

Combined sales for vehicles launched since September 2009 – the Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu, Camaro and Captiva; the GMC Terrain; and the Cadillac SRX and CTS Coupe – increased by 25 percent during May

Passenger Cars

Total sales of GM passenger cars grew by 34 percent during May, led by sales of Chevrolet passenger cars, including the Cruze, Malibu, Aveo and Optra.

SUVs and Crossovers

Across Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac, total sales of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) increased by 28 percent in May. The Chevrolet Suburban (up 53 percent) and the Chevrolet Tahoe (up 43 percent) were the best performing SUV nameplates during the month.

Crossover sales across all three brands were up 24%, driven by strong sales of the Chevrolet Traverse (up 57 percent) and the recently launched GMC Terrain.

Pickups

Total sales of the Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche and Colorado and GMC Sierra increased by four percent during May. Sales of the Chevrolet Silverado were up an impressive 27 percent.