GM posts 4% rise in MidEast sales in Q1

General Motors dealers in the Middle East reported total sales of 31,154 vehicles in the first quarter of 2012, up four percent compared to the same period last year. The sales result represented GM Middle East\'s highest first quarter sales period since 2008, it said in a statement. Sales of GM\'s new passenger cars, comprising the Chevrolet Spark, Sonic and Cruze, more than doubled in the first quarter, it added. Crossover sales increased 75 percent year-over-year in the first quarter, driven by sales of the recently launched Chevrolet Captiva, Cadillac SRX and GMC Terrain. Sales of GM\'s full-size SUVs and pickups also increased by 39 percent and 51 percent respectively. Other first quarter highlights included a 44 percent year-over-year sales increase for GMC and a 37 percent sales gain for Cadillac. \"Within a short period of time we have revamped almost our entire passenger car and crossover line-ups,\" said John Stadwick, president and managing director of GM Middle East Operations. \"With more vehicles planned for launch this year, we are confident that we will continue grow sales in the region.\"