Dubai: General Motor's core brand Chevrolet has reached a sales increase of 9.2 per cent in the Middle East in the last year, the company reported.
Growth was mainly driven by newly launched vehicles, Cruze, Malibu, Traverse and Camaro, company spokesman Samer Al Khalil said. Bestseller among pick-up range was the Silverado with a sales increase of 74 per cent, followed by the Tahoe (plus 14 per cent) and the Avalanche (plus 39 per cent).
Chevrolet achieved a double digit sales growth in Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain.
In the UAE, Chevrolet's most popular model last year was the Tahoe, followed by the Caprice limousine. The fastest growing model was the Silverado with a sales growth of 45 per cent.
There was also significant sales growth for Chevrolet's recently launched models, the Cruze, Malibu and Camaro, Al Khalil added.
Iraq now happens to be Chevrolet's second largest market in the region after posting growth of 56 per cent. Sales have been driven by two smaller models, the Optra and the Aveo.
However, Saudi Arabia remains the largest market in the Middle East for Chevrolet, where the most popular model is the Tahoe, followed by other large SUVs.
Sports cars
Sports cars such as the Camaro and the Corvette are also popular in Saudi Arabia.
"We expect even greater success for Chevrolet in 2011 as we will be introducing four new vehicles that meet the needs and aspirations of the customers in this region," said Fadi Ghosn, Chief Marketing Officer at General Motors Middle East.
The brand's growth in the Middle East replicates similar sales growth patterns in other global markets. Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally in 2010, an average of one every 7.4 seconds, and was the only top five vehicle brand to grow its market share in 2010.
In the US, sales of Chevrolet grew by 16 per cent, but recorded the most significant sales growth in key BRIC emerging markets.
In Brazil, Chevrolet registered sales growth of 78 per cent, in Russia 11 per cent, in India 60 per cent and in China 63 per cent.
All four brands of General Motors Middle East reached 14 per cent sales growth in January, the company announced on Monday, with total sales of 8,312.
Chevrolet recorded sales growth of 18 per cent in January, followed by GMC, up 14 per cent, and Cadillac up 7 per cent.
"A great start to the year for General Motors Middle East," said John Stadwick, President and Managing Director of GM Middle East Operations. "We have continued the momentum that we created in the final quarter of 2010."
Revved up
- 74% growth in sales of the Silverado pick-up
- 56% growth in total sales in Iraq
Around the region
Chevrolet's largest market in the Middle East, Chevrolet's most popular model is the Tahoe which experienced sales growth of 42 per cent. There was also significant growth for the Silverado, which witnessed sales grow fourfold; the Suburban (+65 per cent) and the Corvette (+75 per cent).
Iraq
Iraq is now Chevrolet's second largest market after posting growth of 56 per cent, sales have been driven by its top two brands: the Optra and the Aveo. The compact Optra experienced growth of 141 per cent and the Aveo increased sales by 30 per cent.
Kuwait
Chevrolet's most popular model in Kuwait is the Tahoe, full-size SUV. Its second most popular vehicle is the Silverado, which experienced 39 per cent sales growth, but its fastest growing model is the Avalanche pick-up, which witnessed sales grow fourfold.
UAE
Chevrolet's most popular model is the Tahoe, full-size SUV, followed by the Caprice in the United Arab Emirates. However, its fastest growing model is the Silverado (+45 per cent).
Lebanon
Chevrolet's most popular model is the Aveo followed by the recently launched Cruze. There was also significant growth for the Tahoe (+43 per cent) as well strong sales of Chevrolet's other recently launched models, the Malibu, Traverse and Camaro.
Qatar
Chevrolet's most popular model is the Tahoe, full-size SUV, which experienced sales growth of 43 per cent, followed by the recently launched Cruze. Its fastest growing models are pick-ups, the Silverado (+144 per cent) and the Avalanche (+88 per cent).
Oman
Chevrolet's most popular model is the Tahoe, full-size SUV, followed by the recently launched Cruze. There was also significant growth for the Suburban (+10 per cent), the Aveo (+11 per cent).
Jordan
Chevrolet's most popular and fastest-growing model is the Cruze, which has seen sales soar since its recent introduction. There was also significant growth for Chevrolet's other recently launched models.
Bahrain
Chevrolet's most popular model is the Tahoe, full-size SUV, which experienced sales growth of 8 per cent. Its second most popular vehicle is the Malibu, which has seen sales soar since its introduction.
