Global car sales are expected to reach record levels this year, exceeding 61 million vehicles for the first time ever, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner has stated.

According to the Reuters news agency, Mr Wagoner told shareholders at the company's annual meeting, that the sales surge would help GM deal with mounting health care costs as well as "unfair" Japanese trading practices.

In particular, the manipulation of the yen to keep it artificially weak against the dollar, which affords Japanese car manufacturers a competitive advantage over their US peers, was highlighted.

Given this policy and the firm's growing healthcare bill of $5 billion, Mr Wagoner said GM would have to continue with its aggressive sales strategy.

Mr Wagoner: "In a soft global economy and a competitive auto industry, we've had to be very creative and aggressive in the marketplace, and push for every single sale, all around the globe."

While customer incentives have hit GM's earnings from its core automotive operations, he said he was encouraged by first quarter results.

Reuters explained that GM has returned stronger operating earnings and increased its market share in three out of four world region during the first three months of the year.