Shanghai, December 21 (Gasgoo.com) General Motors' mini-vehicle venture in China -- SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co. Ltd. -- has become the first Chinese automaker to break the 1 million-unit sales mark in 2009, CCTV.com reported yesterday, citing GM China's statement.
By December 15, SAIC-GM-Wuling had sold a total of 1.0264 million vehicles this year, up 57. 8%, becoming the first automaker in China to hit the 1 million sales mark in a single calendar year and meanwhile a newcomer to the Chinese auto industry's "1-million-unit club."
SAIC-GM-Wuling sales are up nearly 60% year on year in 2009, to remain China's mini-commercial vehicle sales champion for a fourth straight year. The Wuling Sunshine minivan is the first model in China to achieve single-year sales of more than 500,000 units. In addition, over 250,000 Wuling Rongguang minivans have been sold in 2009.
"One of the primary reasons for our record sales is the Chinese government stimulus policy, which is encouraging rural residents to upgrade from farm vehicles to more efficient mini-vehicles," according to Yang Jie, General Manager of SAIC-GM-Wuling Sales Company.
The JV will participate in the planned GM-SAIC JV operation in India that will produce SAIC-GM-Wuling vehicles for sale in that fast-growing Indian market.
SAIC-GM-Wuling was launched in 2002, with GM holding a 34% stake, SAIC 50.1% and Wuling Auto 15.9%. In addition to minivans and minitrucks, the JV produces the Chevrolet Spark.
