The Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and HUMMER car brands made a strong statement regarding the strength of their Middle East offerings by unveiling a combined total of eight new models on the first day of the 2008 Abu Dhabi International Motor Show (17-21 December).

PRESS : This impressive display of new vehicles, which was hosted by local dealers Bin Hamoodah Automotive (Chevrolet and GMC dealer) and Liberty Abu Dhabi Automobiles Co. (Cadillac and HUMMER dealer), included four Middle East premieres and four regional show debuts. It also coincided with the recent announcement of the launch of the new 2009 model year line-up.

The new models are set to reinforce the strength of Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and HUMMER in the Middle East. Together with Saab, the fifth General Motors brand in the region, they have experienced a 10% increase in sales over the first eleven months of 2008. Backed by the energy and commitment of the dealer network, the brands’ new 2009 model year line-up will ensure that they continue to offer customers the best value in the market place.

Leading the way, and one of the stars of the whole show, was the much heralded 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, the hottest new sports car on the scene and appearing in the Middle East for the very first time prior to its official launch in the region next year.

Also making their Middle East premieres in Abu Dhabi were the all-new Cruze, Chevrolet’s stylish new entry in the midsize segment, and the Chevrolet Malibu midsize car. Both cars are set to go on sale in the region in the second quarter of 2009, and introduce new standards of design, quality and value for money to their respective segments.

Five of the models making their show debuts in Abu Dhabi have either just been launched in the Middle East or will be hitting dealer showrooms in the coming weeks. Chevrolet launched the Traverse, an expressively styled and well-equipped family crossover that introduces the brand into the growing crossover sector for the first time, while GMC unveiled the Sierra Denali, a luxury pick-up.

Cadillac introduced its flagship car in the large luxury SUV category, the Escalade Platinum, as well as the world’s fastest production V8 sedan, the CTS-V. Meanwhile HUMMER displayed its first entry in the luxury pick-up segment with the versatile new H3T.

Commenting on the premieres at the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show, Mike Devereux, President of General Motors Middle East, said: “The new models that Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and HUMMER have displayed in Abu Dhabi clearly demonstrate how important the Middle East market is to us. Providing a combination of great value, cutting-edge design and market-leading technology, the current line-up represents our best ever offering in the region.”