GM has been depending on sales overseas, particularly China.

More bad news for one of America’s big three.

Honda Motor Co. sold 473,297 units in China in 2008.

The figure was up 11.7% from 423,710 units in 2007.GM sold just 445K vehicles.

The increased sales also put Honda ahead of General Motors Corp. in terms of passenger vehicle sales in China.

Honda is now third in China behind Volkswagen AG and Toyota Motor Corp..

GM sold 445,709 units in China in 2008 with its passenger vehicle joint venture, Shanghai General Motors Corp.

Sales were up 3.7% at Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Honda’s 50-50 joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. The venture makes the Accord and Fit sedans and the Odyssey minivan.

Sales were up 29.3% at Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., a 50-50 venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor Corp. Dongfeng Honda makes the CR-V sport-utility vehicle and the Civic sedan.

Additionaly, imports of Acura vehicles doubled last year from 2007 sales.

Meanwhile, GM continues to restructure.