Chevy Malibu and Buick Encore were among the new models GM began selling in China last year.
General Motors sold its one-millionth vehicle in China on today, the earliest it has ever done this in a calendar year. GM first sold 1 million vehicles in a single year in China in December 2007. Last year, GM reached the milestone on May 7. This year it came two weeks sooner – and the earliest in the company’s history.
With total overall light vehicle sales projected at more than 20 million for 2013, China will easily retain its title as the world’s largest auto market followed by the U.S. at more than 15 million.
GM has led sales in China for eight consecutive years, but during 2012 it just barely stayed as Number One at 2.84 million vehicles because the VW Group, China’s Number Two automaker, sold 2.81 million vehicles, a +24.5% increase compared to 2011. Whether GM can hold the lead in China this year remains an open question.
GM and its joint ventures are adding 17 new and upgraded models in China this year. They include the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback; the new Wuling Sunshine; two new Jiefang light-duty trucks, the S230 and F330; and the Insignia Sports Tourer, Zafira Tourer and Astra GTC from Opel.
GM is also expanding its dealer network to make it easier for its customers in China to buy and service their vehicles. It is adding 400 dealers this year, which will bring to 4,200 the number of dealers at year-end.
“This is a great start to the year and a big accomplishment for our team,” said Bob Socia, president, GM China, and Chief Country Operations Officer, China, India and ASEAN. “We will continue bringing new products and expanding our dealerships to boost sales.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
