China becomes GM’s largest market – 2.35 million units sold

China becomes GM’s largest market – 2.35 million units soldFor the first time in its 102-year history, General Motors’ largest market isn’t the United States, but China. The company sold more cars and trucks there than it did in the US in 2010, managing 2.35 million vehicles sold, 136,000 more than that shifted in the US.

Shanghai GM achieved 1.03 million of the total figure, with GM’s other joint ventures accounting for the rest. In total, the number is a 29% increase from 2009. China, of course, is the world’s biggest automotive market – passenger car sales in 2009 amounted to 13.7 million vehicles, with total vehicle sales registering above 18 million.

Total global sales for the US automaker was 8.39 million, up by 12% over 2009, and though it is still in the world No. 2 spot behind Toyota, it’s virtually a case of neck and neck – the Japanese automaker reported a global sales volume of 8.42 million units in 2010, just 30,000 more than GM. In China, Toyota managed to sell 846,000 units, just over a third of what GM accomplished.

GM reported double-digit jumps in five of its top 10 markets in 2010, including a 12.4% increase in Russia and a 10.4% jump in Brazil.

Still, China remains the bright star, and the company isn’t going to take its foot off the pedal, planning to export US$900 million in vehicles and parts to the country under a two-year agreement signed with Shanghai GM, its flagship JV.

Vehicle exports worth US$500 million and components worth US$400 million will come under the agreement, which was among various trade and investment deals signed in connection with Chinese President Hu Jintao’s state visit to the US.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • lansy on Jan 26, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Malaysia GM’s smallest market?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • protonstaff on Jan 26, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    when on earth PROTON will take advantage of this market?
    No youngman la…
    Sell PROTON car in china with PROTON name lorh..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Proton LOLZZZZZ on Jan 26, 2011 at 5:29 pm

      I doubt they will spend their money over a Chery, BYD, Geely, Brillance, Hafei, FAW, SAIC, Lifan, Dongfeng or Chang-An over than a Lotus-Youngman

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • yamseng on Jan 26, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    now we know the number of vehicles GM sold in china…
    but how much profit money/asset GM can take out back to US?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • This will cause lots of air pollution.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required