General Motors yesterday announced its first monthy American sales gain since January 2008.

Part of that success can be contributed to the demand of the Chevy Malibu and the Buick LaCrosse. Both cars are produced at the General Motors Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan.

The overall increase is 4.7 percent from last month. The report:

Demand for new cars such as the Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CTS, long with crossover SUVs such as the Buick Enclave, fueled better October results for GM with sales up 4.7 percent. Sales of the much-anticipated, all-new 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which is hitting showrooms right about now, are also expected to keep GM on an upward trend.

Along with Ford announcing a profit from last quarter, is the domestic auto market on a long-term rebound?

For the past two years when General Motors corporate employees visited Fairfax, they harped on the importance of the KCK plant for the future of GM. Early numbers from the LaCrosse suggest they are right.