GM Leads Latin American Auto Sales.

General Motors’ Latin America, Africa & Middle East unit (GM-LAAM) announced that in 2001 it sold 511,000 vehicles in Latin America. This figure represents a fourteen percent (14%) increase over 2000, compared to the auto industry’s four percent (4%) average increase over 2000. GM Latin America reported a market share improvement of 1.9 percentage points, for a total of 22.4% of the automotive market, the highest penetration reached by any automaker.

The company attributes its record to an aggressive series of new vehicle launches continuing to strengthen the company’s position in key automotive segments. Among the launches implemented in 2001 were the Chevrolet Zafira, Astra, Tracker/Vitara cars in several markets as well as the Brazilian redesigned S-10 and Blazer. In 2001, the sub-economy car sold via Internet in Brazil, the Celta, reached the highest volume of domestic sales for a single GM model. The company’s strong regional Chevrolet brand and experienced dealer network played a key role in the success of its evolving vehicle portfolio.

GM’s share advancement in Latin America was fueled by industry growth Ecuador and Venezuela and GM share growth in the largest market, Brazil — while holding ground in the flat Chilean and Colombian automotive markets. The company maintained its market share in Argentina, despite a general decline in industry sales volumes.

In addition to recording the highest market share for total automotive sales, GM maintained its longstanding leadership in truck sales and individual market leadership in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

“For almost eight decades, we’ve been committed to our customers throughout the peaks and valleys of economic cycles. Our Chevrolet customers know we’ll be there with great new products from around the world and solid customer service … ” said Fritz Henderson, group vice president and outgoing president of GM Latin America, Africa & Middle East, who was recently appointed president of GM Asia Pacific.

“2002 will be a banner year of new Chevrolet vehicle introductions in Latin America. We hope to maintain the positive momentum as we continue to maneuver the mixed scenario of opportunities and challenges prevalent in our diverse region of the world,” said Maureen Kempston-Darkes, newly appointed GM group vice president and president of GM Latin America, Africa & Middle East.