General Motors’ dealers in the Middle East reported sales of 10,741 vehicles in November, marking an increase of 18 per cent in total sales for the first 11 months of the year compared to the same period in 2010.

Retail sales in November increased 68 per cent, indicating a rise of 51 per cent in sales for the first 11 months of the year as against same period in 2010.

The increase in sales is a result of a consistent growth in showroom traffic throughout the region for GM Middle East’s line-up of passenger cars, crossovers, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickups across the Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac brands, a statement said.

So far this year, total sales of Chevrolet are up 22 per cent year-over-year.

Year-to-date sales of Cadillac are up 10 per cent after registering its best November sales performance. Sales of Cadillac were 6 per cent higher in November 2011 compared to November 2010 – the previous record month.

GMC’s year-to-date total sales are up 15 percent year-over-year in 2011.

“We are set for a great sales year as we near the end of 2011,” said John Stadwick, president and managing director of GM Middle East Operations.

“For the first 11 months of 2011 our retail sales are higher than the same period in 2008, which was when industry vehicles sales were at their peak before the impact of the global financial crisis. We are now on course to set a new retail sales record,” added Stadwick.

Total year-to-date sales of GM passenger cars are up by 15 per cent in 2011, driven by strong sales of the Chevrolet Malibu (up 19 per cent) and the Chevrolet Cruze (up 14 per cent).

Across Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac, total year-to-date sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) increased by 25 per cent in 2011. The Chevrolet Tahoe (up 43 per cent) and GMC Yukon XL (up 21 per cent) are the best performing SUV nameplates.

Total crossover sales across Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac are up 14 per cent in the first 11 months of 2011 led by strong sales of the Chevrolet Captiva (up 42 per cent) and Chevrolet Traverse (up 41 per cent).

So far this year, total sales of GM pickups are up 26 per cent due to a strong performance by the Silverado, which has grown sales by 71 per cent in the first 11 months of 2011. – TradeArabia News Service