DETROIT, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Record-setting sales performance in GM's Latin America, Africa and Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, and a third consecutive 2 million vehicles sales performance in Europe during 2008, helped General Motors sell more than 8.35 million vehicles globally last year. GM's nearly 3 percent growth in both the Asia Pacific and Latin America, Africa and Middle East regions partially offset North America sales that declined 21 percent, and growing pressure in Europe that resulted in 7 percent fewer sales. Compared with 2007, GM's total sales were down 11 percent, reflecting continuing global economic pressures that include tightening credit, falling commodities prices and lack of GDP growth.

In 2008, GM sold 5.37 million vehicles outside the U.S., accounting for 64 percent of total global sales volume compared with 59 percent a year ago.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, GM sales of 1.70 million vehicles were down 26 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago. Most of that decline was reflected in 379,000 fewer vehicles sold in North America as the market yielded to a crushing lack of consumer confidence, and tightened credit requirements, in the United States.

GM Continues Growth in Emerging Markets

"GM's 2008 sales performance shows that we are continuing to take advantage of new emerging market opportunities and are meeting customer needs with fuel-efficient products that offer compelling design and great value -- such as the award-winning Opel/Vauxhall Insignia in Europe, the Buick Excelle in China and the Corsa in Latin America," Jonathan Browning, vice president, global sales, service and marketing, said today. "We saw sales volume increases in the key four emerging markets of Brazil (up 10 percent), Russia (up 30 percent), India (up 9 percent), and China (up 6 percent)."

"The challenges in the global financial markets, including credit tightening, the drop in commodity prices, and economic uncertainty continue to negatively impact overall demand for new vehicles," Browning added. "For the total global industry, we saw about 3.5 million fewer vehicles sold in 2008 than the previous year."

With these market challenges comes significant opportunity and GM is well-positioned with new products either on showroom floors or on the way in the near future.

Chevrolet sales in Asia Pacific grew 14 percent in 2008 compared with a year ago. Chevrolet sales in China (up 16 percent) and India (up 9 percent) powered much of this growth. The Wuling brand continued strong growth in China with sales up 17 percent in 2008 compared with a year ago. The Buick channel is very strong in China with the all-new Regal and soon-to-be-launched LaCrosse. The Chevrolet Cruze and Cadillac SRX also will play important roles in taking advantage of China growth in the months and years ahead.

In the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region -- a traditional Chevrolet stronghold -- 2008 sales grew 3 percent compared with 2007. Chevrolet accounted for nearly 90 percent of GM's sales in the region and Brazil remains the second-largest volume market for Chevrolet. Also, GMC, Cadillac and Saab showed impressive annual percentage increases in their sales volume - up 24, 22 and 16 percent, respectively, compared with a year ago. GM sales in the LAAM region beat the expected industry performance, with more than 1.27 million vehicles sold.

A large, relatively young population with a low car-per-capita ratio, hold promise for the market in years to come. Several new Chevrolet product launches are on tap for 2009 including the Cruze, Malibu, Traverse and Camaro.

Chevrolet sales in Europe also contributed to the brand's solid 2008 results, growing 11 percent and breaking though the 500,000 vehicle mark for the first time. Chevrolet is also performing strongly in emerging markets. It remains the top-selling import brand in Russia. In addition, Opel sales in Russia increased by 49 percent, while Saab increased 68 percent in 2008 compared with a year ago. The Opel Insignia won the prestigious European Car of the Year Award - a first for Opel in 22 years and a strong statement about GM's global midsize vehicle architecture. Important launches for GM this year in the region include the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer and Astra; Chevrolet Cruze; and the new Saab 9-3X and 9-5.

A highlight of GM's North America regional performance was the all-new Chevrolet Malibu sedan that achieved the highest percentage gain in annual sales volume (39 percent) of any of the top-20 selling vehicles in the United States. While GM's total North America vehicle sales volume in 2008 declined 21 percent, there were a number of bright future product opportunities highlighted at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit this month. They included the new Chevrolet Camaro and second-generation Equinox; the second-generation Cadillac SRX and all-new CTS sport wagon; and the Buick LaCrosse.

Sales of Cadillac outside of the United States were supported by strong growth of the brand in Latin America, Africa and Middle East (up 22 percent).

Note: Global sales results are based on preliminary numbers reported and have been rounded.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world's largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 252,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, 8.35 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Note: GM sales and production results are available on GM Media OnLine at http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en by clicking on News, then Sales/Production. In this press release and related comments by General Motors management, we use words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, representing our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to comply with the requirements of our credit agreement with the U.S. Department of Treasury; the availability of funding for future loans under that credit agreement; our ability to execute the restructuring plans that we have disclosed, our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; and changes in general economic conditions, market acceptance of our products; shortages of and price increases for fuel; significant changes in the competitive environment and the effect of competition on our markets, including on our pricing policies. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K.





                          General Motors Corporation
                           Global Vehicle Sales(1)

                                     Q4                          CYTD

                         2008       2007    % Chg     2008       2007    % Chg
    GMNA
       Chevrolet        422,040    614,281  -31.3  2,156,288  2,654,019  -18.8
       GMC               85,958    142,567  -39.7    438,176    578,845  -24.3
       Pontiac           62,812    110,742  -43.3    382,949    485,885  -21.2
       Saturn            32,382     56,207  -42.4    206,733    265,901  -22.3
       Cadillac          33,348     62,576  -46.7    170,481    225,032  -24.2
       Buick             27,643     45,219  -38.9    154,275    201,690  -23.5
       HUMMER             5,810     14,057  -58.7     29,968     59,141  -49.3
       Saab               4,349      7,514  -42.1     23,186     35,175  -34.1
       Opel/Vauxhall        418        736  -43.2      1,935      2,248  -13.9
       Other                  0          0      0          0      7,906      0
       Total            674,760  1,053,899  -36.0  3,563,991  4,515,842  -21.1

    GME
       Opel/Vauxhall    284,295    378,336  -24.9  1,458,769  1,629,863    -10
       Chevrolet        121,856    128,012   -4.8    508,124    459,436   10.6
       Saab              12,857     20,613  -37.6     66,582     85,206  -21.9
       Cadillac             619      1,166  -46.9      4,556      4,759   -4.3
       HUMMER               474        704  -32.7      2,286      2,322   -1.6
       Other                 63        188  -66.5        216      1,008  -78.6
       Total            420,164    529,019  -20.6  2,040,533  2,182,594   -6.5

    GMLAAM
       Chevrolet        240,391    308,699  -22.1  1,143,874  1,107,685    3.3
       GMC                7,633      9,604  -20.5     42,384     34,209   23.9
       Other              8,116      9,078  -10.6     40,950     35,883   14.1
       Opel/Vauxhall      8,177     11,619  -29.6     39,764     49,353  -19.4
       Cadillac             801        914  -12.4      4,377      3,596   21.7
       HUMMER               758      1,165  -34.9      3,781      4,179   -9.5
       Buick                 83        250  -66.8        679        974  -30.3
       Saab                 172        100   72.0        521        451   15.5
       Total            266,131    341,429  -22.1  1,276,330  1,236,330    3.2

    GMAP
       Wuling(2)        149,020    132,047   12.9    606,499    516,435   17.4
       Chevrolet         69,136     77,826  -11.2    311,971    274,773   13.5
       Buick             68,758     95,575  -28.1    280,440    333,131  -15.8
       Holden            32,569     37,059  -12.1    139,407    158,234  -11.9
       Daewoo            19,244     34,550  -44.3    121,081    134,528  -10.0
       Cadillac           1,394      2,188  -36.3      7,624      7,770   -1.9
       Saab                 543        890  -39.0      3,006      3,894  -22.8
       Opel/Vauxhall        479      1,249  -61.6      2,632      5,251  -49.9
       HUMMER               204        328  -37.8      1,538        703  118.8
       Other                147        215  -31.6        895        956   -6.4
       Total            341,494    381,927  -10.6  1,475,093  1,435,675    2.7

    GLOBAL
       Chevrolet        853,423  1,128,818  -24.4  4,120,257  4,495,913   -8.4
       Opel/Vauxhall    293,369    391,940  -25.1  1,503,100  1,686,715  -10.9
       Wuling           149,020    132,047   12.9    606,499    516,435   17.4
       GMC               93,591    152,171  -38.5    480,560    613,054  -21.6
       Buick             96,484    141,044  -31.6    435,394    535,795  -18.7
       Pontiac           62,812    110,742  -43.3    382,949    485,885  -21.2
       Saturn            32,382     56,207  -42.4    206,733    265,901  -22.3
       Cadillac          36,162     66,844  -45.9    187,038    241,157  -22.4
       Holden            32,569     37,059  -12.1    139,407    158,234  -11.9
       Daewoo            19,244     34,550  -44.3    121,081    134,528  -10.0
       Saab              17,921     29,117  -38.5     93,295    124,726  -25.2
       HUMMER             7,246     16,254  -55.4     37,573     66,345  -43.4
       Other              8,326      9,481  -12.2     42,061     45,753   -8.1
       Total          1,702,549  2,306,274  -26.2  8,355,947  9,370,441  -10.8

    Notes:
    (1) Quarterly sales data is preliminary and subject to change
    (2) We own 34% of SGMW and under the joint venture agreement have
        significant rights as a member as well as the contractual right to
        report SGMW global sales in China as part of our global market share.

SOURCE General Motors Corporation