As American as apple pie and baseball, Cadillac and Chevrolet had a strong third quarter of 2008 – outside of North America. Cadillac sales were up an impressive 10.7 percent and Chevrolet sold 3 percent more cars outside of their home markets. But things weren’t quite so bright in North America, where the crested wreath’s sales dropped 28 percent and the bowtie sold 16.6 percent fewer cars.
Both brands were buoyed overseas by strong emerging markets, most notably Asia. Cadillac sold 39.2 percent more cars in what the automaker defines as the Asia Pacific market and Chevrolet dealers in China cranked out almost 22 percent more cars.
Perhaps the most impressive feat for GM – though it doesn’t represent as high an increase in raw numbers as it might suggest – is that Saab sold 90.4 percent more cars in Russia during the third quarter of 2008 than it did in the same period in 2009. Perhaps Saab’s air conditioned glove boxes do a nice job of cooling vodka, too.
10/29, 9:37 AM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I don’t get it. Nobody I know likes apple pie and few people like baseball.
10/29, 9:51 AM
posted by:
Lau
The “American Dream” as they say…..like that holds any water now >.>
And wtf is with that Saab comment? Just cause some Russians enjoy their vodka, Saab has to have a slaes increase? How lame LLN….
10/29, 10:16 AM
posted by:
simonc
What kills me is that GM kicks ass in the rest of the world, but here in America … nothing. Why is that? Is it because of the press over the years has beaten the Big 3 up over and over again? Then you got Wall Street telling GM they have to cut and cut and do this and do that, while not being able to take care of their own freakin’ business.
Yes, GM has problems, but so does everyone. But GM gets beat up more than they should.
10/29, 10:45 AM
posted by:
Borat
Nice, perhaps if headquarters are moved where cars are sold we don’t have to save their hides with our tax money?
10/29, 11:37 AM
posted by:
bcjohnso99
Borat,
The excess income tax collected from many years of overpaid union workers would easily cover any assistance that the government will cough up.
Besides, governments have been giving away $Bs in incentives to foreign auto makers to build new plants in the US.
Are you starting to see the real problem with the system?
10/29, 12:07 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Apple Pie is great, but baseball sucks.
Chevy grew outside NA because Chevy actually offers cars elsewhere that people want. The rest of the world gets the beat/trax/groove, but GM knows Americans dont want this so they dont offer it. Brazil gets a GPiX, but GM knows Americans dont want this also. America wants Cobalts and nothing but Cobalts. Cobalts and HHRs are all Americans want until 2018 … just ask GM!
10/29, 12:11 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Should The U.S. Auto Industry Be Rescued? Today on NPR!
10/29, 1:31 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
‘mayer’, I’m happy to say we think alike. Good post.
10/29, 4:06 PM
posted by:
desertdriver
“… Saab sold 90.4 percent more cars in Russia during the third quarter of 2008 than it did in the same period in 2009.” Wow! LLN can see the future!!!
10/29, 4:08 PM
posted by:
desertdriver
http://www.autoalerts.com , not as many articles, but has quality