GM plans largest Japan sales chain

GM's plans would move it past Ford and Chrysler in terms of sales offices

By CNN's Alex Frew McMillan in Hong Kong

TOKYO, Japan -- General Motors Corp. plans to triple its sales offices in Japan within three years, according to a report, giving it the largest sales network in Japan for a U.S. car company.

The world's largest car maker will boost the number of GM Auto World stores to 160 from 46, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said.

The expansion would move it past Ford Motor Co., which has close to 150 stores, as well as Chrysler. DaimlerChrysler has 70 Japanese outlets.

New car rolling out later this year

German car company Volkswagen has the biggest chain of car stores in Japan, the Nikkei said.

If you include the stores of GM partner Yanase & Co., GM would surpass even that, with 330 locations selling its vehicles.

Detroit, Michigan-based GM sells Chevrolet and Saturn cars in Japan, as well as sport-utility vehicles from Isuzu Motors Ltd. GM recently upped its stake in Isuzu to 49 percent.

It also owns 20 percent of Fuji Heavy Industries, which makes Subaru vehicles, and 20 percent of Suzuki Motor Corp.

Later this year, it plans to start selling the Chevrolet Cruze, a small car made with Suzuki in Japan.