For the first time since General Motors’ founding more than 100 years ago, a country other than its home market of the United States became its largest. After months of strong demand, GM sold 136,000 more cars in China than it did in the U.S. in 2010.

GM sold 2.35 million cars in China in 2010, a 29 percent increase in year-over-year sales.

GM’s growth in China comes primarily from a lineup focused on market demands Many other volume automakers merely offer global products to Chinese consumers, while GM tailors its lineup with Chinese market-specific Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet models.

Globally, GM delivered 8.39 million cars in 2010, a 12 percent increase compared to 2009.

That still puts GM as the world’s second-largest automaker, just behind Toyota. The Japanese brand isn’t expected to remain on top for long, however, as GM continues to take advantage of the rapidly-growing Chinese market. Toyota sold just 846,000 new cars in China last year, about one third of GM’s volume.