General Motors sells 9.71 million vehicles in 2013January 14, 2014 - 21:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The world's second largest car manufacturer, General Motors, sold 9.71 million vehicles in 2013, an increase of 4% on the year before, BBC News reports. Sales in the U.S. were up 7%, while in China and the UK they increased by 11%. GM has been facing stiff competition from rival Volkswagen - the third biggest carmaker - and Toyota, which is the largest. The company recently appointed Mary Barra as chief executive, the first female boss of a U.S. carmaker. General Motors is still the largest U.S. auto firm, with Ford and Chrysler in second and third position. The latest figures come after General Motors reported a fall in car sales in December 2013, in what was a disappointing month overall for the car industry in the U.S. GM reported a 6.3% fall in sales compared with December 2012. GM was bailed out by the U.S. government in 2009 at the height of the financial crisis. The U.S. Treasury spent $49.5bn, taking a 61% stake in the company. However, at the end of 2013 the U.S. government sold its remaining shares in GM. Overall, it lost about $10bn on the bailout. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |