of sales , competitive supply gross margin declined in south america , europe/africa and the caribbean and remained relatively flat in north america and asia . large utilities gross margin increased $ 201 million , or 37% ( 37 % ) , to $ 739 million in 2001 from $ 538 million in 2000 . excluding businesses acquired or that commenced commercial operations during 2001 and 2000 , large utilities gross margin increased 10% ( 10 % ) to $ 396 million in 2001 . large utilities gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased to 30% ( 30 % ) in 2001 from 25% ( 25 % ) in 2000 . in the caribbean ( which includes venezuela ) , large utility gross margin increased $ 166 million and was due to a full year of contribution from edc which was acquired in june 2000 . also , in north america , the gross margin contributions from both ipalco and cilcorp increased . growth distribution gross margin increased $ 165 million , or 126% ( 126 % ) to $ 296 million in 2001 from $ 131 million in 2000 . excluding businesses acquired during 2001 and 2000 , growth distribution gross margin increased 93% ( 93 % ) to $ 268 million in 2001 . growth distribution gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 18% ( 18 % ) in 2001 from 10% ( 10 % ) in 2000 . growth distribution business gross margin , as well as gross margin as a percentage of sales , increased in south america and the caribbean , but decreased in europe/africa and asia . in south america , growth distribution margin increased $ 157 million and was 38% ( 38 % ) of revenues . the increase is due primarily to sul 2019s sales of excess energy into the southeast market where rationing was taking place . in the caribbean , growth distribution margin increased $ 39 million and was 5% ( 5 % ) of revenues . the increase is due mainly to lower losses at ede este and an increase in contribution from caess . in europe/africa , growth distribution margin decreased $ 10 million and was negative due to losses at sonel . in asia , growth distribution margin decreased $ 18 million and was negative due primarily to an increase in losses at telasi . the breakdown of aes 2019s gross margin for the years ended december 31 , 2001 and 2000 , based on the geographic region in which they were earned , is set forth below. .
2001 north american revenues were what in millions?
* includes venezuela and colombia . selling , general and administrative expenses selling , general and administrative expenses increased $ 38 million , or 46% ( 46 % ) , to $ 120 million in 2001 from $ 82 million in 2000 . selling , general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues remained constant at 1% ( 1 % ) in 2001 and 2000 . the overall increase in selling , general and administrative expenses is due to increased development activities . interest expense , net net interest expense increased $ 327 million , or 29% ( 29 % ) , to $ 1.5 billion in 2001 from $ 1.1 billion in 2000 . net interest expense as a percentage of revenues increased to 16% ( 16 % ) in 2001 from 15% ( 15 % ) in 2000 . net interest expense increased overall primarily due to interest expense at new businesses , additional corporate interest expense arising from senior debt issued during 2001 to finance new investments and mark-to-market losses on interest rate related derivative instruments. .