SAIC-GM-Wuling tops China carmakers in April sales

Shanghai, May 11 (Gasgoo.com) SAIC GM Wuling, GM's mini-commercial vehicle venture in China, increased domestic sales in April by 60.6% from a year earlier to 95,544 units, the most vehicles sold by a Chinese carmaker during the period, state media said today.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said last week that China recorded total domestic sales of 1.153 million vehicles in April, up 25% year on year (y/y), replacing the previous monthly record-high of 1.11 million units in March. Sales of passenger vehicles stood at 831,000 units last month, up 37.37% y/y, while commercial vehicles sold 322,100 units, up 1.38% y/y.

SAIC GM Wuling sold 95,544 vehicles in April, a year-on-year rise of 60.6%. The Wuling Sunshine, a mini-van popular with rural customers and first-time buyers, was China's bestselling vehicle in April, tallying 50,491 units. Earlier this year, the Chinese government released a support program to subsidize rural buyers of mini-vans and light trucks.

The three-party joint venture achieved the most sales of vehicles by a Chinese carmaker in April this year, followed by Shanghai VW, FAW-VW, Shanghai GM, Chongqung Changan, Beijing Hyundai, Dongfeng Nisssan, Chery Automobile, Fiat, and Guangzhou Honda.

GM's another Chinese venture Shanghai GM, one of China's leading makers of passenger cars, posted a domestic sales rise in April of 34.7% y/y to 55,245 vehicles. GM sales in China jumped 50% in April, to 151,084 units. In comparison, GM's U.S. sales last month plunged 33% to 172,150 units.