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GM sales benefit from Toyota woes GM sales benefit from Toyota woes
(41 minutes later)
General Motors (GM) saw its US sales rise 11.5% last month, as it benefited from customers abandoning Toyota over the Japanese firm's recall problems.General Motors (GM) saw its US sales rise 11.5% last month, as it benefited from customers abandoning Toyota over the Japanese firm's recall problems.
"We got what we thought was our fair share of Toyota sales," said Mike DiGiovanni, GM executive director."We got what we thought was our fair share of Toyota sales," said Mike DiGiovanni, GM executive director.
Toyota is due to release its US sales figures for last month later. February was the first full month since it announced major recalls in January.Toyota is due to release its US sales figures for last month later. February was the first full month since it announced major recalls in January.
Car industry analysts are expected Toyota to report a big drop in sales.Car industry analysts are expected Toyota to report a big drop in sales.
Hyundai, the second carmaker to release its US figures for last month, said its sales jumped 23% last month.Hyundai, the second carmaker to release its US figures for last month, said its sales jumped 23% last month.
Most of the other major car firms are also due to release their February US sales figures later.Most of the other major car firms are also due to release their February US sales figures later.
Growing confidenceGrowing confidence
GM is in the process of discontinuing four brands - Saab, Hummer, Saturn and Pontiac.GM is in the process of discontinuing four brands - Saab, Hummer, Saturn and Pontiac.
When sales for these brands are excluded, those of its remaining core brands - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac - rose 32.2% in February.When sales for these brands are excluded, those of its remaining core brands - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac - rose 32.2% in February.
Susan Docherty, GM vice president for sales, service and marketing, said the firm's "solid" sales figures gave it a "a lot of confidence" that its efforts to revive its fortunes were continuing to gather speed.Susan Docherty, GM vice president for sales, service and marketing, said the firm's "solid" sales figures gave it a "a lot of confidence" that its efforts to revive its fortunes were continuing to gather speed.
However, earlier on Tuesday, GM announced that it was recalling 1.3 million small cars across North America because of a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes.However, earlier on Tuesday, GM announced that it was recalling 1.3 million small cars across North America because of a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes.
Four GM models are affected - the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Pursuit and Pontiac 4.Four GM models are affected - the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Pursuit and Pontiac 4.
General Motors (GM) is recalling 1.3 million small cars in North America because of a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes.