Chevy’s Global Sales Creep Higher

General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet unit sold 1.18 million vehicles worldwide in the first quarter of 2013, up 2,000 units from a year earlier.

The small gain made the January-March period Chevy's 10th straight quarter of record global volume.

The brand's growth in the U.S. (+5% to 469,000 vehicles), China (+3% to 165,000 units) and Brazil (+3% to 141,000 units) narrowly offset declines in western and central Europe (-34% to 36,300 units) and Argentina (-11% to 37,000 units).

Overall, GM's global sales grew 4% to 2.36 million vehicles in the first quarter. Demand increased in North America (+8% to 761,600 vehicles) and at its Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East business (+7% to 992,200 units).

Volume fell in Europe (-6% to 372,600 vehicles) and South America (-5% to 234,500 units).