New models, great designs continue to fuel General Motors growth in the UAE

Across the region, GM registered sales of 66,650 in the first six months of the year, an increase of 6% over the same period in 2006 and the best year to date performance in the company's long Middle East history. June 2007 was GM's best-ever month of sales in the region, with 14,781 cars and SUVs leaving GM dealer showrooms.

"It was always going to be a challenge to maintain the growth we witnessed in 2006 because we launched 17 models last year so we are delighted by these results," commented Terry Johnsson, President & Managing Director GM, Middle East Operations speaking to journalists at a media briefing in Jeddah. "Whether it is the recently launched GMC Acadia or the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, our launch models are proving to be hits with customers."

Sales were also up in other key markets for GM in the region. In Qatar, sales rose 46% to 3,877. Sales in Oman were up 34%, Saudi Arabia by 12%, Bahrain by 13%, while the Levant markets (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) saw sales increase by 3%. Sales dropped by 11% in Kuwait in the first six months of 2007, predominantly due to lower fleet sales, which generally operate on a two-year purchase cycle.

In the first half of the year, sales of Chevrolet were up by 11% to 46,476 driven in part by the launch in 2006 of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban in Saudi Arabia. Regional sales of these two models have risen by 349% to 4,460 and 308% to 2,256 respectively. Long time Middle East favourite, the Chevrolet Caprice also saw significant sales growth, up 42% to 8,192.

GM's premium brands have also enjoyed robust sales growth in the first half of 2007. Cadillac sales rose 43% to 1,574. HUMMER sales rose by 6% to 1,594 and Saab sales rose by 36% to 175. With the drop in fleet sales this year, GMC sales were down 5% to 16,630.

"General Motors continues to stand behind its vehicles with unique initiatives. We have been operating in the Middle East for over eighty years, selling, servicing and operating our business very close to our customers and dealers," added Johnsson. "There have been a number of highlights this year including several senior executive visits, indicating how important the Middle East is to General Motors globally. Perhaps the most significant was the visit of GM Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz to Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain in March."

"We have also launched the first GMC luxury crossover SUV, the Acadia and have sold almost 750 in the first three months of sales; we have welcomed the first graduates of the training facility we operate jointly with the Saudi government to our dealer workshops in the Kingdom; the GM Training Centre at Dubai Men's College is now fully operational; and we've officially launched the Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles."

Johnsson concluded, "The work done together with the dealers in the areas of service, ownership experience and service capacity is paying off with customer satisfaction surveys showing happier GM customers."

GM brand highlights - YTD 2007:
-Chevrolet Caprice up 42% to 8,192 units
-Chevrolet Tahoe up 349% to 4,460 units
-Chevrolet Suburban up 308% to 2,256 units
-GMC Sierra up 56% to 2,642 units
-Cadillac Escalade up 137% to 970 units
-HUMMER H3 up 5% to 1,346 units
-Saab 9-5 sales up 67% to 75 units

GM market highlights - YTD 2007:
-Saudi Arabia records 12% sales growth to 40,396 units
-United Arab Emirates records 12% sales growth to 8,764 units
-Kuwait sales down 11% to 7,067 units
-Oman records 34% sales growth to 1,396 units
-Qatar records 46% sales growth to 3,877 units
-Bahrain sales up 13% to 1,100 units
-Levant (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon) records 3% sales growth to 2,647 units