General Motors sold record 2. 26 million cars and trucks around the world in the first quarter of 2007, according to preliminary sales figures released Thursday.

GM global first quarter sales were up by 67,000 vehicles, or 3 percent, compared with sales of 2.19 million in the first quarter 2006. Global market share is estimated at 13.0 percent, compared with 13.1 percent a year ago.

"GM posted record sales in the first quarter driven by exceptionally strong demand in emerging markets," said John Middlebrook, GM vice president, Global Sales, Service and Marketing Operations.

"We saw more than 20 percent growth in the Asia/Pacific region and had 17 percent growth in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region," he said.

In the Asia/Pacific region, GM sold a record of 388,000 vehicles. GM remained the top-selling automaker in China and sold 100,000 vehicles in a month for only the second time.

In the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, GM sales reached an industry-best 269,000 vehicles, a record for the fist quarter and up 17 percent in volume compared with 2006. Sales in Brazil were up 12 percent for the quarter.

Source: Xinhua