GM Global Sales Climb 4% in First Half

General Motors Co. delivered 4.85 million vehicles worldwide in the first six months of 2013 compared with 4.67 million in the same period last year.

GM's global market share edged up 0.1 point to 11.5% in the first half. Its North American share grew 0.2 points to 17.2%.

The company's Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East unit posted a 7% year-over-year gain to 1.92 million vehicles. That included an increase of 11% to a record 1.57 million in China for GM and its joint ventures there.

North American sales climbed 8% to 1.64 million vehicles from January through June, including an 8% advance to 1.42 million units in the U.S.

But in Europe, the company's volume slid 7% to 797,300 vehicles. GM's European market share dipped 0.1 point to 8.4%.

South American demand slipped 1% to 496,700 units, despite a 5% increase to 305,000 units in Brazil. The company's share of the South American market dropped one point to 17.2%.

GM's Chevrolet brand boosted sales 2% to 2.48 million vehicles in the six-month period. Deliveries surged at Cadillac (+31 to 112,000). Volume also rose for Buick (+16% to 510,500 units) and GMC (+10% to about 258,400).