General Motors and its joint ventures sold 295,282 vehicles in China last month, up nearly 17 percent year on year as the company's SUVs set sales records.

 

Cadillac sales jumped 30 percent in May, while Buick deliveries soared 61 percent. Baojun, the company's entry-level brand, reported an 80 percent sales increase on strong demand for the Baojun 730 multipurpose vehicle and the Baojun 560 SUV.

 

However, Chevrolet sales plunged 24 percent despite good demand for its new flagship sedan, the Malibu XL. Wuling, GM's minibus brand, reported a 5 percent downturn as demand for commercial vehicles remained weak.

 

In the first five months, GM sales rose 4.3 percent year on year to 1.54 million vehicles.

 

GM is regaining sales momentum as it is locked in a battle with Volkswagen AG for bragging rights as China's largest foreign automaker.

 

In the first four months, VW delivered 1.25 million vehicles, while GM sold 1.24 million. VW has not yet announced its May sales in China.