GM Reports Sales Results for the First Four Months

GM Reports Sales Results for the First Four Months
• Saab reports sales increase of 21.3 percent for first four months
• Opel/Vauxhall enjoy strong Zafira sales
• Vauxhall topping U.K. car sales charts in April
• Chevrolet sells 103,214 cars in first four months of 2006

May 8, 2006, Zurich. General Motors (GM) sold 686,468 vehicles in Europe’s total vehicle market in the first four months of 2006, down just over 5,000 units compared with the same period last year, as the company focused on improving per unit revenues. GM’s share for the same period was 9.4 percent, the same as 2005’s full-year share. Sales growth in 2006 for GM, compared to the first four months a year ago, was particularly marked in Russia (+ 31.7 percent), Ireland (+ 18.6 percent), Sweden (+14.8 percent), the Netherlands (+ 11.0 percent), Denmark (+ 11.0 percent) and Belgium (+ 9.8 percent). In April 2006, GM sold 164,191 cars and vans in Europe.*

*Report based on preliminary registration figures

“Overall, our sales performance in Europe is on track for the first four months of the year. We saw mixed share results in certain important markets. For example we are looking to improve our German market share” said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. “On the other hand, I am pleased to report Vauxhall took market leadership in the U.K. for April. We are also very pleased with Astra GTC and Zafira sales across all of Europe.”
Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER sales growing steadily
In the first third of the year, Cadillac sold 909 cars in Europe, 196 of them in April. The new Cadillac BLS, a four-door luxury mid-size sedan, went on sale on April 8 and will strengthen Cadillac’s position in the luxury mid-size segment. It is the first Cadillac available with a turbo-diesel engine. Corvette sold 417 cars from January to April of 2006, and recently launched its Z06 in Europe. HUMMER sold 506 vehicles in total Europe, in the first four months of 2006.

Saab reports European sales increase of 21.3 percent for first four months
Saab sales continue to accelerate, with all-time volume records achieved in Europe from January to April of 2006, where a 21.3 percent increase (+ 5,588 cars) produced sales of 31,798 units. Worldwide sales increased to 44,827 cars during the first four months of the year, a 17.3 percent increase against the same period last year. Each of Saab’s top ten markets – accounting for 85 percent of total sales – posted increases, including all-time record volumes in the U.K., Spain and Belgium. The U.S.A. returned to the number one sales market globally for Saab, at 11,208 units for the first four months of 2006, followed by the U.K. with 9,373 units and Sweden, the brand’s home market of Saab, where 8,326 cars were sold in the first four months, up 2,176 cars or 38 percent versus the same period a year ago. In April 2006, Saab sold 10,847 cars globally and 7,146 in Europe, achieving a European market share of 0.4 percent. The launch of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi range, the introduction of a new top-of-the-line 2.8-liter V6 turbo engine and the outstanding success of the Saab 9-5 BioPower in Sweden, where it is the top-selling environmentally-friendly ethanol vehicle, continue to contribute to Saab’s strong performance.
Opel/Vauxhall enjoy strong Zafira sales
The number of new Opel/Vauxhall vehicle registrations in Europe for the first four months of the year was 549,624 units (2005: 569,231), which represents 7.5 percent (2005: 7.9 percent) of total new vehicle registrations. 128,479 of these new Opel/Vauxhall registrations took place in April alone. The new Zafira generation, which was launched last summer, was particularly successful. Zafira sales rose 27 percent compared to the same four months last year, with unit sales of 81,717. Astra GTC, the dynamic 3-door model, is also showing excellent sales momentum. The 7,452 Astra GTC units sold in April constitute a 29 percent increase, compared to the year-earlier month. The Vivaro also enjoyed strong sales, with the classic van model accounting for 24,330 (2005: 21,094) of the new Opel/Vauxhall registrations in the first third of 2006, an impressive 15 percent share. The new model generation of the Vivaro will be presented in the autumn of this year. In Germany, the Vivaro performed particularly well, with new registrations up by a quarter between January and April 2006, at 3,883 units (2005: 3,084).
Vauxhall, Opel’s sister brand in the U.K. topped the sales charts in April with 25,171 passenger cars sold, 3,072 cars ahead of its nearest rival, achieving a 15.4 percent total car market share. Vauxhall also claimed the number one spot in the retail market and, with 10 percent market share, reached its highest retail share since August 2000. Fleet market share was the highest for twelve months at 20.8 percent, enabling Vauxhall to maintain its number one position in the fleet market. The Astra was also the best-selling car in the U.K. in April, taking the top spot from the Ford Focus, with

9,173 registrations. Vauxhall ended the month with four cars in the top ten. Vectra and Zafira were also first in their respective segments. Corsa was the other model in the top ten car best-seller list. In a difficult van market, which was down 14.5 percent, Vauxhall sold 3,624 vans in April and maintained its number two position. The award-winning Vivaro and Movano vans increased their market share in their respective segments and helped Vauxhall to a 15.6 percent total share of the van market.
Chevrolet sells 103,214 cars in first four months 2006
From January to April 2006, Chevrolet Europe sold a total of 103,214 cars, thereby increasing sales volume by 8.9 percent over the same period last year. This figure includes 12,846 vehicles produced by GM Avtovaz for the Russian market and 1,567 U.S.-produced vehicles. Chevrolet’s market share in the January to April period was at 1.4 percent vs. 1.3 percent in the same period last year. In April, Chevrolet sold 28,238 vehicles, 8 percent more than in April 2005. Outstanding April results were recorded in Denmark (+ 38.9 percent), Germany (+ 38.0 percent), Italy (+ 21.5 percent) and Russia (+ 244.3 percent). Chevrolet had its highest market share in April in the Ukraine (8.5 percent) and – with an overall European share of 1.57 percent – above-average shares in Russia (3.2 percent), in the countries of Southeast Europe (2.47 percent), Denmark (2.37 percent), Greece (2.30 percent), Italy (1.67 percent) and the Netherlands (1.63 percent).


General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 33 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million cars and trucks globally, up 2 percent and the second-highest total in the company’s history. In Europe, GM sells its Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer ranges in over 30 markets. It operates 11 production and assembly facilities in eight countries and employs around 64,500 people. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. More information on GM can be found at http://media.gmeurope.com and http://www.gmeurope.com.

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