Zurich — General Motors (GM) sold 522,200 vehicles in Europe's total vehicle market in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 8,100 units or 1.6 percent over the same period last year. GM's first-quarter share increased slightly from 2005's full year share of 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent. In March of 2006, GM sold 241,160 vehicles in Europe, up 6,570 units or 2.8 percent. This represents a market share of 10.2 percent, 0.2 percentage points below last year's record share of 10.4 percent. First-quarter sales growth for GM, compared to the same period a year ago, was particularly marked in Russia (+ 25.6 percent), the Netherlands (+ 22.6 percent), Sweden (+ 20.6 percent) and Ireland (+ 17.9 percent). more …

For clarification Chevrolet has three seperate distributors in Europe—US SUVs (Tahoe and Trailblazer), also assembled by Avtotor in East Prussia, Chevrolet Europe (GM DAT), including some assembly by ZAZ in the Ukraine and by Avtotor, and GM AvtoVAZ, producing the Viva (modified Astra) and Niva (former Lada SUV).

Former Daewoo factory FSO in Poland provides stampings for sister-company ZAZ, and Daewoo Romania supplies engines and driveline components for GM DAT.

You'll love this too "Toyota sales continue to suffer while Chevrolet sees record sales in Europe"

For the first two months of 2006 sales of Toyota vehicles in the European trade zone (EU+EFTA) continue to fall, down 5%. Nissan sales have suffered even more with an ageing lineup, off more than 12% so far this year. Controlling partner Renault has seens sales decline almost as much, down an even 12% including the booming Dacia brand. The winners in Europe? An agressive Volkswagen, with big incentives and a revitalised lineup up 21%; SEAT and Skoda, up 12 and 9.4 % respectively; Chevrolet, up 5.4%; FIAT, up 20% with the new Grande Punto; KIa, up 4.1%; and Suzuki, who have scorched past Mazda (+8.3) and Honda (+6.7%) with sales up a staggering 38%, despite easing in Feb.

Europe and South America have been far more successful in warding off Japan Inc., or perhaps it has only been that Japan Inc. has focused their frontal assault on North America because we are saps and would rather by anything that is made somewhere else, whether it is a car, electronics or fashion...?

As Toyota marches on to its inevitable (?) ascent to #1 auto manufacturer in the world, there would appear to be cracks in the armor, yet the band keeps playing on.......

Europe and South America have been far more successful in warding off Japan Inc., or perhaps it has only been that Japan Inc. has focused their frontal assault on North America because we are saps and would rather by anything that is made somewhere else, whether it is a car, electronics or fashion...?

  As Toyota marches on to its inevitable (?) ascent to #1 auto manufacturer in the world, there would appear to be cracks in the armor, yet the band keeps playing on.......

well if they are down by 5% per month... they must really be up here in the states to get to their 9 million a year they are telling the world they'll hit...

i say resale value is going to take a dive...

i can see as GM pulls vehicles from fleets, their resale values are starting to improve...

i cant wait until GM can offer some really competative leases for buicks and pontiacs...