The world's largest automotive manufacturer has underlined the importance of the emerging Chinese market, targeting a major boost in sales in the region during the next three years.

General Motors yesterday announced that it is aiming to boost its market share as it heads for a record Asian sales year for 2004.

The firm has sold nearly 40 per cent more vehicles to date this year than for the same period last year

Troy Clarke, who heads up GM's Asia Pacific division, told Reuters that the company was set to bolster its presence in the region as sales continued to flourish.

"We will beat last year's earnings," he said, adding that this came despite a tougher economic environment.

Mr Clarke says that Beijing has sought to dampen down an overheating economy by tightening lending, resulting in an industry-wide dip in the soaring rate of Asian automotive growth in the latest figures.

Yet with GM confident of selling more than 900,000 vehicles in the region during the year, the signs for long-term growth remain good.

China-based executives at GM say they plan to double production to around 1.4 million units by 2007.