General Motors (GM) sales in the Middle East region increased by six per cent in 2008 compared to the 2007 figures in spite of a market slowdown in the fourth quarter due to the global economic crisis.

GMC in particular was a strong performer for GM with the Acadia up 96 per cent, the Yukon up 26 per cent and Sierra up 13 per cent.  The award-winning Cadillac CTS sedan also made its mark, said a GM official.

Registering a 30 per cent increase in sales over 2007, GM’s best-selling models across the Middle East continue to be its full-size SUVs, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade. 

At the opposite end of the size spectrum, and reinforcing GM’s reputation for offering great value cars for every type of customer, the fuel efficient Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Optra models occupy second and third place in the sales chart in terms of their sales increase over 2007
 
Much of GM’s 2008 growth has been built on expansion in the lower Gulf and the region’s smaller markets. This continues to be the case in 2008, with Lebanon the star performer, up 81 per cent, followed by Iraq (+68 per cent) and Oman (+27 per cent).

UAE and Syria recorded  double-digit increases of 19 per cent and 10 per cent  respectively.  GM’s biggest market, Saudi Arabia also experienced rising sales of two per cent.

“We are delighted to have recorded positive growth in the Middle East in 2008 and another record number of vehicles sold.  In the first ten months of 2008, we were on track to record an increase of 13 per cent, prior to the effects of the financial crisis,” said president of General Motors Middle East Mike Devereux.

“At the same time, we must acknowledge the commitment and effort of our esteemed dealers, who continually strive to offer our customers a fantastic experience, that matches the best vehicles the market has to offer.”

ACDelco saw a growth of over 25 per cent in the region, primarily driven by sale of its KSA made batteries with sales in excess of 2.5M units and an estimated market share of 44 per cent. ACDelco Middle East is the largest market for General Motors outside of the US. – TradeArabia News Service