GM, Ford Post Record January Sales in China

General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. each report record vehicle sales for January in China.

GM’s sales last month rose 7% to 421,000 units, including a 39% jump to 138,900 cars for its popular Buick brand. Cadillac deliveries climbed 16% to 8,300 units. SUV sales nearly tripled. Demand for Baojun-brand cars, vans and SUVs doubled to 78,400 units.

Ford’s new-car sales in China grew 36% to a record 130,800 units. Deliveries by the company’s Changan Ford Automobile venture surged 58% to 111,900 passenger vehicles, including a 75% jump to a record 37,400 SUVs. Ford also set volume records for its Escort and Mondeo sedans.

Both companies reported lower demand for their commercial vehicles ventures, blaming China’s weak commercial truck market. GM’s Wuling sales fell 17% to 139,200 units. Deliveries by Ford’s Jiangling Motors venture fell 24% to 17,300.