GM start strong in 2012

General Motors’ dealers in the Middle East reported total sales of 10,815 vehicles in February, up 9 percent compared to February 2011. The strong sales result represented GM Middle East’s highest February sales month ever due to growing demand for the company’s line-up of new passenger cars and crossover vehicles. Sales of new passenger vehicles, which include the Chevrolet Spark, Sonic and Cruze, increased by more than threefold in February versus the same period last year. New crossover vehicles witnessed a sales increase of 115 percent driven by the Chevrolet Captiva and Traverse, the GMC Terrain, and the Cadillac SRX. Chevrolet’s fastest-growing vehicles in February were the Tahoe (up 65 percent), Captiva (up 357 percent) and Cruze, which more than doubled its sales during February. Sales of GMC increased by 73 percent in February driven by a 139 percent uplift for the Sierra and a 55 percent gain for the Yukon. Cadillac, GM’s luxury brand, increased sales by 45 percent driven by the new SRX, CTS and the region’s most popular full-size luxury SUV, the Cadillac Escalade.  “We have achieved record-breaking sales in both January and February driven by new models and a strengthening economy. With six new vehicles planned for launch in 2012, we are confident we can maintain this momentum throughout the year,” said John Stadwick, President and Managing Director of GM Middle East Operations.