Chevrolet fuels record General Motors growth in UAE

Sales in the Middle East in 2005 were 113,574 units, up 28% over last year and almost double the sales in 2003. December was GM's 26th consecutive record month of sales in the region.

Speaking at a media briefing held during the North American International Motor Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Terry Johnsson, Managing Director of GM Middle East said,

"Our continued success is driven by the growing popularity of all our brands, but especially Chevrolet, in all markets including the UAE, which has a very sophisticated automotive market."

GM is enjoying growth across almost all Middle East markets. Sales in Saudi Arabia grew by 56% to 71,422 units; sales in Kuwait were up 31% to 17,484 units; Oman grew by 44% to 1,628 units; Qatar grew by 108% to 3,590 units and Bahrain grew by 44% to 1,929 units. In the Levant markets (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) sales were up 51% to 4,913 units.

GM's sales growth in the UAE is being fuelled by all its major brands. In 2005, Chevrolet sales in the UAE were up 55% to 7,484 units; Cadillac and HUMMER sales grew by 11% to 445 units; while GMC enjoyed a very impressive year recording a 144% increase over 2004 to 1,809 units.

With its "value" vehicles, Chevrolet is the fuel of the GM growth worldwide and in the Middle East. Outstanding performance was registered by the small size vehicles as well as by the established full and mid size sedans and the SUVs. Region-wide the Chevrolet Aveo saw sales rise by 84% to 11,605 units and Epica by 39% to 8,263 units as a new generation of drivers finds the answer to their motoring needs in a Chevrolet.

With increased vehicle sales comes growth in other areas of the business, particularly GM dealers and aftersales. The expansion of GM's US$63 million Middle East Distribution Centre in Jebel Ali, due for completion in 2006, will house over 36,000 parts meaning faster delivery to customers, which is critical to achieving customer satisfaction.

In addition, GM and its dealers, who have invested more than US$95 million in their facilities since 2001, opened 11 new showrooms and service facilities in the Middle East last year with a further 31 planned for 2006.

"We have 12 major product launches planned for 2006 across our entire brand portfolio, including some very important models for GM in the region," added Johnsson. "We have an entirely new range of large SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon; the premium segment, entry level Cadillac BLS sedan; the first SUV from Saab; and some very exciting new additions to the Chevrolet line-up."