General Motors (GM; GM.NYSE, GMM.U.TSX) consolidated its position as China’s leading overseas automaker in 2010 as sales rose 29% year-on-year to 2.35 million units, Bloomberg reported. The company expects sales to grow by around 15% in 2011 as Beijing ends the rural subsidies and tax breaks on small engine vehicles that have helped China become the world’s largest auto market. GM plans to release 12 new models in the next two years to meet local demand, including its first under a new Chinese brand. The Baojun 630, a sedan produced by the SAIC-GM-Wuling Automotive minivan joint venture, will go on sale later this year through more than 100 dealers. The Wuling joint venture saw sales increase 16% to 1.23 million units in 2010. GM’s passenger car joint venture with SAIC Motor (600104.SH) recorded sales of 1.03 million units, up 42% year-on-year, boosted by demand for Buick and Chevrolet models.
Categories