September best ever sales for General Motors in UAE

United Arab Emirates drove ahead enjoying a robust period of growth across all brands, with the sales in the first nine months of 2007 up by 16% over the same period last year. The increase was largely dominated by growth registered by GMC and the premium brands - Cadillac, Hummer and Saab.

Year to date, Bin Hamoodah Automotive and National Auto combined sold 2,408 GMC SUVs, registering a 69% increase over the same period last year. Liberty Automobiles, Cadillac and Hummer dealers, recorded 35% increase to 1,273, while Gargash Motors, increased Saab sales by 31% to 71 units in the first nine months of the year. Chevrolet dealers, Al Yousuf Motors, Bin Hammodah and Liberty Automobiles took sales up 6% to 9,846 units.

Overall, General Motors has sold 98,635 units vehicles Middle East-wide in the first three quarters of 2007 (September YTD), a 1% decrease from September sales in 2006. "This decrease is reflective of the high fleet activity in the third quarter of 2006," commented Terry Johnsson, President, General Motors Middle East Operations speaking to journalists at a media briefing in Doha, Qatar. "The Fleet business in general is seasonal and specifically key bids for Government and major Fleet may occur every other year or may not be repeated at all."

Overall, Chevrolet registered a 1% rise in overall volume with 68,895 units sold throughout the region. Cadillac and HUMMER sales were up 21% to 4,576 units, while Saab sold 245 units, up 35%. Sales of 24,654 units left GMC dealer forecourts, down 9% from the previous year.

Across the region, the model to gain most sales was the Chevrolet Suburban, with 3,191 units registered, up 238 per cent. Chevrolet Tahoe sales went up 203 per cent to 6,640 units. Both models are in their first year in the Saudi market.

The Chevrolet Aveo continues to remain a best selling model in the Chevrolet range. At the end of the third quarter the total sales for Aveo amounted to 11,248 vehicles, a 7% growth compared with 2006.

"Our sales show that customers in the Middle East like the designs and technologies offered in our varied line-up. The launch of GMC's first luxury crossover SUV, the Acadia, proves that having sold 1,738 units in 9 months of sales. With unique customer focused programmes like the region-wide roadside assistance, bumper to bumper warranties and a regional parts distribution centre that ensures parts are readily available at competitive prices, we ensure that customers are looked after long after they have left the showroom,"

added Johnsson.

Johnsson concluded, "The last quarter promises to be spectacular with GM's largest ever presence at the Middle East International Motor Show (MEIMS) in Dubai. A series of GM's exclusive events are planned and MEIMS will provide a showcase for GM world premieres, various regional reveals and new vehicle launches. The GM Style event will align the worlds of automobile design, celebrities and fashion and give the region a fresh perspective on the cutting edge design and innovation."

2007 YTD Results in the UAE

- YTD Sept 2007 13,527 units vs YTD 06 11,642 units, up 16%
Chevrolet sales up 6% to 9,846 units
GMC sales up 69% to 2,408 units
Cadillac & HUMMER sales up 35% to 1,273 units
Saab sales up 31% to 71 units