GM Sales Growth in China Slows to 3%

General Motors Co. reports its joint ventures in China sold a record 291,400 units last month.

But October's volume was up only 3% year on year, the smallest advance in 20 months. Sales grew 4% to 149,500 units for SAIC-GM-Wuling. They rose 6% to 140,400 vehicles at Shanghai GM.

GM brands all reported gains last month. Buick rose 8% to 75,200 units, Chevrolet expanded 2% to 60,000 units and Cadillac zoomed 22% to 5,100 vehicles.

Sales also climbed for domestic-brand Baojun (+250% to 28,000) and Hong Guang (+10% to 60,500) models.

GM's volume in China through the first 10 months of 2014 totaled 2.87 million cars and trucks, up 11% from the same period last year. SAIC-GM-Wuling rose 13% to 1.47 million units, and Shanghai GM advanced 10% to 1.37 million. Sales by the company's FAW-GM commercial truck venture plunged 24% to 35,500 units.