Flourishing Chevrolet propels GM to 9 million annual sales

Bowtie brand notches up 4.76m global sales in 2011, enabling GM to once again vie for the title of world’s No. 1 carmaker

Strong demand for Chevrolet’s offerings in the US and emerging markets enabled the brand to set a global sales record of 4.76m vehicles in 2011, in the process boosting GM’s tally for the year to more than 9 million vehicles.

GM sold a total of 9,025,942 vehicles last year – a 7.6 per cent increase on its 2010 total of 8,385,484 units. As a result, GM currently holds 11.9 per cent of the global vehicle market, with sales up in all four of its reporting regions – North America, South America, Europe and International Operations.

The General’s success could once again make it the world’s No. 1 carmaker, but we’ll only know for sure once archrival Toyota confirms its 2011 figures. Estimates suggest the Japanese giant notched up around 8 million sales in 2011, relegating it to third place behind the VW Group juggernaut with 8.39 million sales.

Chevrolet fared well in its home market, with total vehicle sales of 1,775,812 representing a 13 per cent increment over its 2010 total. Meanwhile, China posted record sales of 595,068, up 9.5 per cent from the previous year.

Other markets that posted significant year-over-year increases include Peru (81 per cent), Vietnam (79 per cent), South Africa (50 per cent), Russia (49 per cent), Turkey (30 per cent) and Germany (21 per cent).

Chevrolet claims its strong upward sales curve is the result of delivering cars like the Cruze, Sonic (Aveo) and Spark, the all-new midsize global Malibu, and crossovers and trucks like the Orlando and Colorado that are said to be designed for the varied driving conditions and customer preferences around the world.

The Cruze was Chevy’s biggest seller in 2011, notching up sales more than 670,000 units globally. In the process it enabled Chevrolet to claim the title of best-selling passenger car brand in the US.

That said, as Chevrolet enters its second century, it continues to become a more global brand, with more than 60 percent of its sales outside the U.S. market.

“Without doubt the new Chevrolet portfolio has been a catalyst for our success around the world,” said Tim Lee, president of GM International Operations.

“The launch of the Chevrolet brand in South Korea along with tremendous growth in China and across the rest of our international operations is proof that Chevrolet is becoming a first choice for customers around the globe.”

“In 2012, we will continue to expand our range with even more great vehicles as we pursue further growth in our key markets,” Lee said.


Top 10 Chevrolet sales markets in 2011
United States 1,775,812
Brazil 632,201
China 595,068
Russia 173,485
Mexico 162,461
Canada 150,540
Argentina 133,491
Uzbekistan 121,584
India 111,056
Colombia 105,783

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