GM's global auto sales down 5 percent (AFP)

DETROIT, Michigan (AFP) - General Motors on Wednesday posted a five percent drop in global sales in the second quarter as a sharp drop in its home market offset strong gains overseas.

GM's sales slipped to 2.29 million vehicles in the April through June period after North American sales fell 20 percent to 963,929, while sales outside the region grew by 10 percent to 1,322,765.

GM said it was still "on track" to sell more than nine million vehicles this year as sales for the first six months reached 4.54 million vehicles, a three percent decline from the same period of 2007.

Sales in the Asia-Pacific region grew 15 percent to 386,980 vehicles, GM said.

Sales in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East rose 18 percent to 346,085 vehicles, powered by Chevrolet, which accounted for nearly 90 percent of vehicle sales in the region.

European sales rose 2.5 percent to 589,700 vehicles.

"Our sales performance around the world shows that we are moving quickly to respond to new market opportunities around the globe and are meeting customer needs with fuel-efficient products that offer compelling design and great value," Jonathan Browning, GM's vice president of global sales, service and marketing, said in a statement.

"Our global sales performance during the second quarter was fueled by Chevrolet globally and Wuling and GM Daewoo regionally."

Chevrolet sales in the Asia-Pacific region grew by 27 percent, stoked by a 33 percent increase in China and a nine percent increase in India.

The joint-venture Wuling brand saw sales rise 35 percent in China compared with the second quarter of 2008, GM said.

Chevrolet sales grew 19 percent in Europe while sales of several GM brands grew significantly in Russia.

Russian Opel sales rose 96 percent in the first half of the year, Saab climbed 81 percent, Cadillac saw a 51 percent increase, Chevrolet was up 49 percent and Hummer was up 21 percent compared with the first half of 2007.

Cadillac sales outside the United States grew 14 percent in the second quarter, GM said.

Saab sales, meanwhile, fell 22 percent globally while Buick was down 17.6 percent in the second quarter.