GM says sales up 12.2 per cent

DETROIT: General Motors Monday said its sales increased 12.2 per cent in 2010, boosted by record deliveries in China, to touch 8.3 million vehicles compared to 7.4 million in 2009.

GM achieved double-digit increases in five of its top 10 markets, including the 28.8 per cent increase in China, where the Detroit-based firm and its partners were the first to top the two-million sales mark in a single year.

It also reported an increase of 41.3 per cent in Uzbekistan in Central Asia, which is now GM's tenth-largest market by volume.

Deliveries in the United States, GM's second largest market, rose 6.3 per cent despite the phase-out or sale of four brands, while Brazil, GM's third-largest market, saw deliveries rise by 10.4 per cent.

Sales also increased in Russia, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

GM, however, suffered some significant setbacks particularly in Germany where sales dropped 29.5 per cent and Italy where sales fell 10 per cent.

General Motors led the global industry for more then 70 years until 2008 when it was surpassed by Toyota, which is expected to retain the sales crown for the third straight year once all the sales numbers are tallied for 2010.