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General Motors Europe Reports Strong August Sales


September 2006
 Filed under: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATE Car News | GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATE Headlines

# Sales increase for Saab especially in Swedish home market
# Opel/Vauxhall sales up across Europe
# Chevrolet set new European market share record

Zurich (2006-09-07) -- With strong sales in August, General Motors (GM) has strengthened its position in the European car and truck market. Last month, GM sold 116,134 vehicles in Europe, up 7,401 units compared to August 2005, for a market share of 8.6 percent (2005: 8.1 percent). The biggest sales increases versus last year’s August were achieved in an overall shrinking German market (+10.5 percent), Austria (+31.8 percent) and France (+11.6 percent). In Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and the Ukraine, GM had a record sales increase of 7,855 units in August which is 85 percent over August 2005.
In the first eight months of 2006, General Motors sold 1,342,713 vehicles in Europe’s total car and truck market, up 6,356 units (= +0,5 percent) compared to the same period 2005. GM’s market share for that period was 9.2 percent (2005: 9.4 percent). Sales growth in 2006 for GM, compared to the first eight months a year ago, was particularly in Russia (+59.9 percent), the Ukraine (+24.1 percent) and Sweden (+23.3 percent). "Thanks to our strong August sales we have improved our position in the European market. The Chevrolet brand with an outstanding performance particularly in the Russian market has underlined its potential. And with the new Corsa hitting the showrooms in October we are confident of increasing our volumes for Opel/Vauxhall. Initial feedback about the car from media and dealers is very encouraging, said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.

Saab growth continues
Saab continued to grow in Europe where 61,074 cars were sold in 2006 through August, a plus of more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year. Strongest European market for Saab is the UK with 17,249 units, followed by Sweden with 16,847. In Saab’s home market, the brand sold 5,522 more cars from January to August than in the same period 2005 and increased market share to 7,82 percent (same period 2005: 5,64 percent). One of the highest growth rates is seen in Spain with 306 cars sold in August – a best month ever for the Swedish brand. For the month of August, Saab had stable sales with 7,674 cars globally and 3,836 in Europe. The 9-3 model line-up benefits from the success of the 1.9 TiD and the new 2.8-liter V6 turbo engine.

Opel/Vauxhall’s sales rise
In August 2006, registrations of Opel/Vauxhall passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Europe totaled 84,909 units, which was 2,716 units more than in the year-earlier month. The positive trend was driven by successful sales in Opel’s home market. In Germany, Opel sold 24,104 cars compared to 21,727 vehicles in last year’s August. Strong August sales were also reported from Austria (+48 percent) and France (+16 percent). Russia (+82 percent) and the Ukraine (+166 percent) were also strong markets for Opel. Vauxhall continued its success in the UK with strong August sales of 12,309 vehicles compared to 12,001 in August 2005. August market share was 12.6 compared to 11.7 percent in August 2005.

Strong Chevrolet sales in the Russian market
Chevrolet had another strong month, selling 27,131 vehicles compared to 22,284 in August 2005. The 21.8 percent growth was mainly driven by the Eastern European countries with Russia being the strongest market with 11,006 cars sold. This is an increase of 106.8 percent compared to August 2005. Other outstanding results were recorded in the Ukraine and the countries of Southeast Europe. August market share in Europe was at a new record high of 2.0 percent (August 2005: 1.7).

From January to August 2006, Chevrolet sold a total of 216,549 vehicles, increasing its European sales volume by 11.9 percent compared to the same period last year.



Total Europe

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