MANAMA: GMC, a General Motors brand of heavy and sports utility vehicles (SUVs), has witnessed a 32 per cent increase in sales in Bahrain for the first half of this year.

Overall, year-on-year sales growth for the Middle East stood at 16pc. GMC sold 22,295 vehicles in the same period which was its highest first half sales since 2008.

The company credited the record sales to growing demand for its popular line-up of crossovers, SUVs and pickups. GMC's largest market, Saudi Arabia, saw an increase in sales by 21pc which the company credited to the introduction of its Terrain crossover range.

Other markets such as Oman also registered strong sales growth of up to 40pc while Qatar and Bahrain saw similar level of growth at 32pc. In Lebanon meanwhile, the sales figures more than doubled in the first half.

"GMC is one of the most respected and loved automotive brands in the Middle East, and these strong first-half sales prove that its popularity continues to grow in the region," said GMC regional brand manager at General Motors Middle East operations Nadim Ghrayeb.

"We are confident that GMC can maintain this sales growth throughout 2012 due to the recent introduction of the Terrain in Saudi Arabia, and the upcoming launch of the special heritage editions to celebrate the brand's centennial."