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Saab and Chevrolet Hit First-Quarter European Sales Records


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

· Saab breaks global and European sales records
· Opel/Vauxhall sales in Europe increase significantly in March
· Chevrolet sells 75,490 vehicles in first quarter of 2006

April 7, 2006

Zurich -- General Motors (GM) sold 522,200 vehicles in Europe’s total vehicle market in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 8,100 units or 1.6 percent over the same period last year. GM’s first-quarter share increased slightly from 2005’s full year share of 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent. In March of 2006, GM sold 241,160 vehicles in Europe, up 6,570 units or 2.8 percent. This represents a market share of 10.2 percent, 0.2 percentage points below last year’s record share of 10.4 percent. First-quarter sales growth for GM, compared to the same period a year ago, was particularly marked in Russia (+ 25.6 percent), the Netherlands (+ 22.6 percent), Sweden (+ 20.6 percent) and Ireland (+ 17.9 percent).
“We are very pleased with the growth for Chevrolet and Saab in the first quarter. For Opel and Vauxhall, our strategy to improve the quality of our sales is paying off with an average net sales increase of over €500 per vehicle in quarter one compared to a year ago,” said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. “All our regions contributed to the improvements and there is clearly strong support in the marketplace for the new cars we are launching.”


Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER sales growing steadily

In the first quarter of 2006, Cadillac sold 520 cars in Europe, 190 of them in March. The new Cadillac BLS, a four-door luxury midsize sedan will go on sale on April 8. It will be the first Cadillac that is available with a turbo-diesel engine. Corvette sold 270 cars in the first quarter of 2006, and recently launched its Z06 in Europe. HUMMER sold 340 vehicles in total Europe, in the first quarter of 2006.


Saab breaks global and European sales records

Saab sales continue to accelerate at a record-breaking pace, with all-time volume records achieved globally and in Europe for the first quarter of 2006. Worldwide sales increased to 34,190 cars during the first three months of the year, a 24 percent increase against the same period last year. In Europe, a 29 percent increase (+ 5,310 cars) produced sales of 24,540 units. Both results are all-time records for the brand, the strong performance in Europe building on last year's annual volume record. Each of Saab's top ten markets -- accounting for 85 percent of total sales -- posted increases, including all-time record volumes in the UK, Spain and Belgium. In Sweden, the home market of Saab, 6,160 cars were sold in the first quarter, up 1,760 cars or 40 percent versus the same period a year ago. Saab’s performance in the U.K. of 7,760 cars, of plus 20 percent or 1,160 units against first quarter of 2005, is particularly impressive as the brand maintains record-breaking sales momentum already established last year. In March of 2006, Saab sold 11,840 cars in Europe, achieving a market share of 0.5%, up by 2,360 cars or 25% compared to March of 2005. The launch of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi range, the introduction of a new top-of-the-line 2.8V6 turbo engine and the outstanding success of the Saab 9-5 BioPower in Sweden, where it is the top-selling environmentally-friendly ethanol vehicle, have all contributed to Saab’s strong performance.


Opel/Vauxhall sales in Europe increased significantly in March

Opel/Vauxhall sales in Europe increased significantly in March 2006, reaching 195,740 units compared to 105,600 in February. This raised Opel/Vauxhall’s market share from 7.0 percent to 8.3 percent. Opel/Vauxhall sales also increased slightly compared to the year-ago period (195,600 units). As the total market achieved somewhat stronger growth, Opel/Vauxhall’s market share was approximately 0.4 percentage points lower. Total European market share in the first quarter was 7.6 percent (Jan–Mar 2005: 8.0 percent) corresponding to 421,050 units (425,200 units). The approximate doubling of Opel/Vauxhall sales in Europe in March 2006 compared to February is mainly attributable to the Tigra, Vectra, Signum and Corsa models. Opel also increased market share compared to March 2005 in important markets such as France (+ 0.7 percent), the Netherlands (+ 3.2 percent), and Scandinavia (+ 0.4 percent).

Light commercial vehicles continued their success story of the past years in the first quarter of 2006 with 43,100 units (Jan–Mar 2005: 40,600 units), corresponding to 5.3 percent (5.3 percent).

Vauxhall sales in the U.K. for the first quarter totaled 99,750 vehicles, giving the brand 12.9 percent of the market. In March, Vauxhall sold 60,170 vehicles, boosted by extremely strong sales to retail customers. Total market share in March was 12.1 percent. Astra and Corsa achieved third and fourth position, respectively, in the list of U.K. bestsellers in March and sales of the Vectra to retail customers doubled compared to March of last year. In fleet sales, Corsa and Zafira were both the best-selling vehicles in their class.


Chevrolet sells 75,490 vehicles in first quarter of 2006

Chevrolet increased sales in the first quarter of 2006 to 75,490 vehicles in total Europe, compared to 689,6560 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago, setting another record for the brand. This includes 8,650 vehicles produced by GM Avtovaz and 1,230 vehicles of US production. The total increase is 16.3 percent excluding GM Avtovaz and US. For the first quarter, market share was at 1.4 percent. The highest growth rate in the first quarter of 2006 was again recorded in Russia, where sales increased from 13,950 to over 17,560 units (+ 26.0 percent). In March of 2006, Chevrolet sold 33,360 vehicles compared to 29,140 vehicles sold in March of 2005, including Avtovaz and US, capturing 1.4 percent of the market in March 2006 in total Europe. Outstanding March results were recorded in Belgium (+ 25 percent), Spain (+ 26.4 percent), Italy (+ 26.8 percent), Portugal (+ 55.6 percent) and Ireland (+ 49.6 percent).

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 33 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million cars and trucks globally, up 2 percent and the second-highest total in the company’s history. In Europe, GM sells its Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer ranges in over 30 markets. It operates 11 production and assembly facilities in eight countries and employs around 64,500 people. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. More information on GM can be found at http://media.gmeurope.com and http://www.gmeurope.com .

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