Giant automaker General Motors recently posted its sales output for the second quarter of the year worldwide. According to the report made public by the Dearborn-based automaker, the company has sold more than 2 million vehicles all over the world from April to June this year.
The 2.405 million cars and light trucks sold by the automaker all over the world for the second quarter of the year is higher than last year's for the same period. From April to June last year, General Motors reported that they have sold 2.395 units around the world.
The increase in sales for the second quarter of the year is driven by record sales outside of North America. This is expected as General Motors continue to lose market share in the United States. Furthermore, the automaker is increasing its presence in the growing markets around the world. In China and India, General Motors is expanding its operations.
"GM's second quarter sales were driven by exceptionally strong demand in emerging markets," said John Middlebrook, General Motors' vice president for Global Sales, Service and Marketing Operations. "GM global sales of 4.67 million vehicles for the first half of the year reflects solid results, in fact we're on track to have our second-best annual sales performance in our almost 100-year history," he added.
Middlebrook pointed out the different emerging markets which they have posted increased sales saying: "In the second quarter we experienced record sales growth around the globe including 20 percent growth in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - an all-time quarterly record for that region, and 8 percent growth in the Asia/Pacific region. We're also pleased to see almost 5 percent growth in Europe where we sold more than 574,000 vehicles."
While General Motors continues to sell more vehicles in Europe, South America and Asia continue to increase, the opposite is happening in the country. One bright spot for the automaker though is the Saturn brand which is one of the fastest growing auto brands in the United States. With General Motors' revitalization of the brand's lineup by partnering it with German automaker Opel, the brand has received more attention from auto buyers.
With European styled automobiles that come with and other necessities, the new generation of Saturn vehicles is giving General Motors a much needed boost in the United States auto market.
Outside the country though, the automaker is depending on the popularity of auto models such as the Chevy Aveo, Optra, and Celta to boost sales. The Chevrolet Aveo is a compact car manufactured by General Motors Daewoo. The Optra, which is also called the Daewoo Lacetti, is also made by the Korean connection of General Motors. When General Motors acquired the Korean automaker, they rebadged the Daewoo vehicles and marketed them in Asian auto markets.
The Celta, on the other hand, is marketed as the Suzuki Fun in Argentina. The vehicle is said to be the second cheapest car sold in Brazil and other Latin American countries. This is one of the reasons for the increased sale by the automaker outside the United States. This increasing sale for the Dearborn-based automaker is expected to increase as Asian markets are expected to continue growing. With the company partnering with local automakers in countries around the world, an increasing global presence for General Motors comes as no surprise.
