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General Motors has reported record sales in Europe and Ford too says that its 2007 sales were a new record, as the US majors seek to repair their global fortunes by driving sales up in European markets.

GM says it sold 2,182,000 units in Europe in 2007, an increase of 8.9 per cent over 2006, and is claiming that this increase, equating to 179,000 vehicles, is the biggest volume gain of any manufacturer in Europe. GM says it now has 9.5 per cent of the European market.

High spots for the group came in Russia, where sales virtually doubled to 258,835 units in a market that grew overall by a third. Sales in the UK under the Vauxhall marque also rose significantly, by 10 per cent, and sales of Chevrolet-badged vehicles across Europe were up by 33.6 per cent.

Jonathan Browning, GM vice-president for sales, marketing and aftersales, said: "Leading the manufacturer growth chart is a credit to all of GM's dealers across Europe."

Ford too is claiming record sales in Europe in 2007. It says it sold 1,833,600 vehicles in 2007, a rise of 5.4 per cent from 2006. Commercial vehicles had a particularly good year, with sales up 10.9 per cent.

Ford's top European market is the UK, where it has been the highest selling marque for 31 consecutive years. Sales in Russia increased by more than 50 per cent.