Malibu boosts region’s Chevrolet sales in January

GENERAL Motors’ dealers in the Middle East reported a strong start to the year for Chevrolet passenger cars in January as sales jumped 18 percent year-on-year, boosted by the Malibu midsize sedan, which recorded its best ever January sales month.
Sales of Chevrolet’s passenger car line-up, which includes the Spark mini car, Sonic small car, Cruze compact car as well as the Malibu, hit 2,392 in the first month of the year. January sales of the eighth generation Malibu, launched in May 2012, tripled year-on-year to 829.
Malibu sales in Saudi Arabia, GM’s largest market in the region, also tripled, and significant gains were seen in the UAE and Kuwait.
Since its launch, the Malibu has recorded a series of sales successes and passed the 1,000 monthly sales barrier for the first time in September.
Sales of the Spark mini car climbed 23 percent in the Middle East in January, while Camaro sales were in line with the same period last year.
In total General Motors (GM) sold 7,656 vehicles in the region, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries the biggest sales driver.
“The performance of our revamped Chevrolet passenger cars goes from strength-to-strength, and the Malibu in particular has proved to be a real success in the region,” said John Stadwick, president and MD of GM Middle East.
“With more vehicles planned for launch this year, we are confident that we will continue to grow our sales in the Middle East.”