GM's First Quarter 2006 Sales Grow 4.4 Percent

DETROIT April 19, 2006; Strong sales performance in GM’s Asia Pacific and Latin America regions during the first three months of 2006 helped General Motors sell more than 2.2 million vehicles globally, a 4.4 percent increase compared with the same period in 2005. GM sales outside of its North America region grew 15.9 percent (up 148,000 vehicles), more than twice the industry growth rate of 7.4 percent.

“Our strong global sales performance during the first quarter was fueled by the growth of GM’s global brands - Chevrolet, HUMMER, Saab and Cadillac - in key markets,” GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said today. “These brands account for one out of every two GM vehicles sold globally and complement our well known regional brands like Opel, GMC and Holden.”

Chevrolet sales in Asia Pacific, the industry’s second-largest region, grew 62 percent compared with year-ago levels. The brand’s performance dramatically outpaced the region’s industry growth rate of 9 percent. Chevrolet sales in China (up 180 percent) and India (up 19.3 percent) powered much of this growth.

In Latin America – a traditional Chevrolet stronghold – sales grew 27.4 percent compared with the same period a year ago and compared to an industry growth rate of 19 percent. Chevrolet’s sales performance in Argentina (up 18 percent), Brazil (up 26.8 percent) and Venezuela (up 57 percent) accounted for most of this growth.

Chevrolet sales in Europe also contributed to the brand’s solid first-quarter results, growing 8.1 percent compared with regional growth of 4.5 percent. Chevrolet sales in Russia grew 23 percent over the same period last year.

The introduction of the Chevrolet Captiva compact SUV later this year in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East is expected to bolster the brand’s global sales performance in these markets.

Chevrolet sales in North America were down slightly; however demand for Chevrolet’s recently launched vehicles, including the all-new 2007 Tahoe full-size SUV, HHR retro wagon and mid-size Impala sedan, exceeded expectations.

GM’s global premium brands – HUMMER, Saab and Cadillac – also enjoyed global growth.

Strong reception of HUMMER’s H3 mid-size SUV helped the brand grow sales by 202 percent over last year. Much of its growth occurred in the United States (up 185 percent); however, HUMMER also achieved solid sales performances in Canada, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. In the United States, the H3 widened its sales lead in the entry luxury utility segment, capturing over 70 percent of the segment so far this year. Further growth is expected outside North America with the availability of a left-hand-drive version of the H3, which will be produced in South Africa later this year.

Saab sales continue to accelerate at a record-breaking pace, with all-time volume records achieved globally and in Europe for the first quarter of 2006. Worldwide Saab sales increased 23.2 percent against the same period last year, built on strong performances in Europe (up 27.7 percent) and the United States (up 12 percent), due in part to the launch of a top-of-the-line 2.8 V6 turbo engine and the Saab 9-5 BioPower in Sweden, where it is the best-selling environmentally-friendly ethanol vehicle.

Sales of Cadillac outside of the United States grew 19.4 percent in the first quarter, supported by strong growth of the brand in Canada (32 percent) and China (246 percent). Cadillac expects a further boost in the second quarter with broader availability of the all-new Escalade around the globe and the all-new Cadillac BLS luxury sedan, which launched in Europe in early April.