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Oman led the way for GM in the GCC (+45%), followed by the UAE (+37%), Bahrain (+29%) and Kuwait (+20%). Saudi Arabia, GM's biggest market, sold 39,211 units, while Qatar recorded sales of 3,648 units.
GMC has once again registered major growth in the GCC, with 35% more vehicles sold than in the same period last year. This increase was mainly driven by the continuing popularity of GMC's full-size SUVs, the Yukon and Yukon XL, with 14,396 units sold, as well as the impact of the new Acadia luxury Crossover SUV, which recorded sales of 3,123 units. GM Premium Brands - Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab - saw sales rise by 25% to 3,901 units, while Chevrolet continued in its role as the foundation brand.
At the press briefing to announce GM results in the region during the first half of the year, John Passadis, Director of Sales - General Motors Middle East Operations, commented:
"The growth that General Motors has registered across the GCC during the first half of 2008 should be attributed to few factors. This business is about great products. And, GM offers a unique line-up supported by professional dealer network and a series of unique customer focused programs. It is also down to our strong dealer partners in the GCC, whose enduring hard work and commitment are reaping rewards in the year of our 100th anniversary."
"Our vision for the future and role as a responsible corporate citizen, both to the communities in which we operate and to the environment, see us introduce pioneering first of a kind initiatives to the region. This is exemplified by the cooperation with the Dubai Government to operate Chevrolet Hybrid vehicles as Taxi's. This is the first time that Hybrid vehicles have been brought to the Middle East" he added.
As with the GCC, General Motors has experienced record success across the rest of the region in the first half of 2008, with best-ever sales in the Middle East region reaching 71,452 units, also up 7% on the same period last year. Growth in the smaller markets has been outstanding. The Levant countries of Lebanon, Jordan and Syria had an excellent first half year, with combined sales increasing by 32%.
The GMC brand experienced booming sales in the Middle East during the first half of 2008, with sales of 22,874 units, up 38% on 2007. GMC's full-size SUVs, the Yukon and Yukon XL, were a major factor behind this success, with combined sales of 14,475 units, up 30% from last year. The luxury Crossover SUV Acadia also is still on a roll with 3,359 units sold during the first half of 2008 - one year only after its arrival in the region it is already established among GM's top ten best-sellers. Growth was further boosted by the arrival of the all-new compact crossover SUV, the GMC Terrain.
General Motors' Premium Brands - Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab - also have had big percentage increases in sales across the Middle East region with sales of 4,193 units, up 26% from previous year. The award-winning, all-new CTS luxury sedan has proved to be a top-of-mind choice for many premium brand customers, recording a massive 468% year-on-year increase in sales. The Escalade luxury SUV recorded a rise in sale of 22% with 1,178 units sold, while the rugged HUMMER brand experienced positive growth, up 13% to 1,801 units, thanks to the popularity of the H2 and H3 SUVs.
Chevrolet remains GM's strongest brand by volume, with customers buying 44,120 Chevy's. Chevrolet's best sellers, the full-size SUVs - the Tahoe and Suburban - together recorded growth in sales of 15%, with 7,694 units sold. The Aveo sales increased to 7,142 units, making it GM's second biggest seller. Sales of the Captiva and Epica were also up by 40% and 37% respectively, plus the all-new Avalanche made a significant contribution to Chevrolet sales.
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
