BEIJING -- At a media briefing in Beijing today, General Motors (GM) Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said that GM "will continue investing aggressively in China to ensure the long-term success of our company."

Akerson noted that as the largest market, China played a significant role in GM's success in 2010. He also commented on the growth of the company's business and the importance of China to the automaker.

"GM's success in China is the result of our strategic approach to doing business in this country," Akerson said. "The foundation is great product, a consistent focus on understanding and meeting the needs of local consumers, fantastic partnerships and a dedication to bringing the latest industry technology to China."

This approach, Akerson said, has enabled GM to remain the sales leader among global automakers in China for the past six years. In 2010, GM and its joint ventures sold a record 2.35 million vehicles in the domestic market.

"GM will continue to make China one of our priorities," said Akerson. "We plan to introduce more than 20 new and upgraded models over the next two years, strengthen our local product development capability, expand our cooperation and sharing of technology with local partners, and lead in the introduction of new energy vehicles including the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. All of this is part of GM's long-term commitment to the sustainable development of China's automotive industry."

Akerson also reinforced the importance of GM's local relationships in China.

"We regard our 11 domestic joint ventures as 11 keys to our success in China," he said. "To remain a global industry leader, GM must remain an industry leader in China."