STRONG sales of the Vauxhall/Opel Astra and Zafira contributed to parent company General Motors Europe reporting second quarter earnings of $187million, up from $124million in the same period in 1998. European sales coupled with booming sales in North America contributed to GM unveiling record second quarter profits of $1.7billion (1998: $306million).

GM Europe took a 10% market share for the period - up from 9.2% in the second quarter of 1998 - with the first half of this year representing an all-time high for Vauxhall/Opel sales. Vauxhall sales this year total 160,504 (1998: 141,959) with fleet sales of 98,939 (1998: 89,550). GMAC, which bought UK-based Arriva Automotive Solutions in a £513million deal last month, reported second quarter income of $391million, up from $365million.