For the first eight months of 2011, GM and its joint ventures sold a record 1,652,693 vehicles in China, which was up 5.4% from the same period last year.

Sales of passenger cars by Shanghai GM in China rose 21.7% to 98,674 units. Domestic mini-commercial vehicle and passenger car sales by SAIC-GM-Wuling, including its new Baojun brand, were up 8.2% on an annual basis to 102,959 units. Both were August sales records.

Demand for Shanghai GM’s Buick lineup grew 22.6% year on year to an August record 56,026 units. Sales of the original Excelle passenger car family increased 16.9% to 23,700 units, while sales of the Excelle XT and GT were up 32.7% on an annual basis to 11,303 units. Buick also generated growth of 25.7% for its LaCrosse sedan and 37.1% for its GL8 family, including the new GL8 luxury MPV.

Chevrolet sales in China also set an August record, totaling 46,370 units, which was 20.5 percent higher than during the same month in 2010. Leading the charge for Chevrolet was the Cruze sedan, with sales of 19,910 units—an increase of 72.7% year on year. Sales of the new Aveo, which entered the market in June, totaled 5,050 units.

Cadillac luxury vehicle sales rose 55.8% on an annual basis in August to 2,531 units. The SRX luxury SUV remained the brand’s best-selling model, with sales totaling 1,772 units.

Sales of Wuling mini-commercial vehicles in China increased 6.0% year on year to 95,837 units.

Sales of light-duty commercial vehicles by FAW-GM in the domestic market in August were down 30.4% compared with August 2010 to 3,506 units.

GM has 11 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 35,000 employees in China.