GM Europe has best January car sales in 15 years

General Motors' car sales in Europe rose by 17,631 units year-on-year in January to 165,043 vehicles, a 15-year high for the month, GM Europe said today.

It said its market share in Europe increased by 0.7 of a percentage point to 9.5 percent, a 10-year record.

"These results are even more significant considering that GM continues to reduce short-cycle fleet sales as a continuing strategy to improve contribution margins and residual values for the customer," it said in a statement.

Sales of Opel/Vauxhall models advanced 8.1 percent to nearly 130,000 cars, while its entry-level Chevrolet brand boosted turnover 41.5 percent to 28,359 cars.

Saab brand sales dropped 6.4 percent to 6,573 units, Hummer sales were flat at 142 units, Cadillac gained almost 38 percent to 360 cars and Corvette sold 98 units, up from 70 a year earlier.