GM sells company record of 9.9 million cars and trucks in 2014, but falls behind Volkswagen

General Motors Co. set a company record last year for global sales. But it was outsold by German automaker Volkswagen.

GM says it sold just over 9.9 million cars and trucks in 2014, up 2 percent from the previous year.

Sales rose 14 percent in China and 6 percent in North America, but fell in Europe — where GM has begun pulling out the Chevrolet brand — and in South America, where sales were hurt by currency fluctuations and other issues.

GM fell behind Volkswagen AG, which sold 10.1 million vehicles last year.

Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to announce its global sales next week. Toyota was the world's top-selling automaker in 2012 and 2013.