Published: November 03, 2009 03:46 pm      

NEW: GM posts 1st sales increase in 21 months

DETROIT -- General Motors, posting its first sales increase in 21 months, announced Tuesday that its sales increased 4.1% in October, compared with the same month last year.

GM sold 177,603 cars and trucks last month, the company said. It’s the first time the company has seen a year-over-year sales increase since January 2008.

“We’re very pleased with consumer acceptance to our newest cars, crossovers and trucks,” Susan Docherty, GM vice president of U.S. sales, said in a statement. “While we have more work to do, we are making progress and will continue our focus on delivering vehicles and a sales and service experience that brings consumers to Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – and keeps them coming back.”

GM saw a boost from its Truck Month sales promotion: GMC truck sales were up 20.4%, compared with the same month a year ago, and Chevrolet trucks were up 19.5%. The Chevy Equinox is up 176.9% to 7,868 vehicles. The redesigned Buick LaCrosse also was up 102.8%, with 3,228 sold.