"We were able to record our best monthly sales result of the year in May as we are seeing more positive signs in housing and consumer confidence in the market," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Those signs, along with more clarity on the New GM, are providing some additional consumer confidence. With GM's reinvention, the company has cleared a path for future success supported by world-class products such as the new Chevy Camaro, Equinox, Traverse and Malibu. We have compelling new offers in the marketplace, including reduced-rate financing available through GMAC, that encourage our customers to visit a showroom and buy today."
GM total truck sales (including crossovers) of 110,866 were down 22 percent, and car sales of 81,009 were off 38 percent compared with a year ago.
When compared with April's performance, there were several product highlights in GM's core brands to note:
- Chevrolet car retail sales were up 28 percent driven by Camaro, Malibu, Cobalt, Corvette and Aveo. Silverado, Colorado, HHR, Equinox, Tahoe and Traverse also saw retail sales increases with Chevrolet retail truck sales up 30 percent. Total Chevrolet vehicle retail sales increased 22 percent
- Buick Enclave retail sales increased 17 percent. LaCrosse retail sales climbed 24 percent as Buick retail sales increased 4 percent
- Cadillac Escalade retail sales increased nearly 14 percent, and DTS sales climbed 3 percent
- GMC retail sales were up 17 percent. Retail sales increases of 30 percent for Sierra, 17 percent for Canyon, 13 percent for Yukon and 8 percent for Acadia were reported
"What was lost in all the financial turmoil is that our outstanding products continue to compete strongly in the market and Camaro is a red-hot example," LaNeve said. "We sold 5,500 Camaros in May without any incentives, and are continuing to deliver them to customers as fast as we possibly can. We are dominating the full-size pickup segment with Silverado and Sierra, as well as offering the best selection of crossovers with Traverse, Acadia, Outlook and Enclave. Importantly, Traverse was just recognized by a leading consumer publication as getting a "Very Good" rating in its most recent ranking of crossovers with third-row seating. Less than a year after initial launch, Traverse is now neck-and-neck in sales with our foreign competition.
"The President's comments yesterday were very positive and we are deeply appreciative of the support of our company," LaNeve added. "The President again restated our shared belief that GM will be a part of a strong and viable auto industry for many years to come, and customers should feel very comfortable buying our outstanding cars, crossovers and trucks."
A total of 1,739 GM hybrid vehicles were delivered in the month, illustrating the wide range of hybrid product offerings available. GM offers the Chevrolet Malibu, Tahoe and Silverado, GMC Yukon and Sierra, Cadillac Escalade, Saturn Aura and Vue hybrids. So far, in 2009, GM has delivered 6,895 hybrid vehicles.
GM inventories dropped compared with a year ago, and were at their second-lowest monthly level on record. At the end of May, about 674,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 98,000 vehicles (or 13 percent) compared with last year. There were about 284,000 cars and 390,000 trucks (including crossovers) in inventory at the end of May. Inventories were reduced about 67,000 vehicles compared with April and are down approximately 16 percent compared with January.
GM North America reports May 2009 production; Q2 2009 production forecast remains at 390,000 vehicles
In May, GM North America produced 134,000 vehicles (58,000 cars and 76,000 trucks). This is down 114,000 vehicles or 46 percent compared with May 2008 when the region produced 248,000 vehicles (118,000 cars and 130,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 8,000 vehicles in May 2009 and 17,000 vehicles in May 2008.)
The region's 2009 second-quarter production forecast remains at 390,000 vehicles (172,000 cars and 218,000 trucks), which is down about 53 percent compared with a year ago. GM North America built 834,000 vehicles (382,000 cars and 452,000 trucks) in the second quarter of 2008.
|
*S/D Curr: 26 |
May |
(Calendar Year-to-Date) | |||||
|
2009 |
2008 |
% Chg Volume |
%Chg per S/D |
2009 |
2008 |
%Chg Volume | |
|
Vehicle Total |
191,875 |
272,363 |
-29.6 |
-26.8 |
777,785 |
1,339,005 |
-41.9 |
|
Car Total |
81,009 |
130,115 |
-37.7 |
-35.3 |
319,417 |
580,283 |
-45.0 |
|
Light Truck Total |
109,872 |
138,777 |
-20.8 |
-17.8 |
453,316 |
746,623 |
-39.3 |
|
Light Vehicle Total |
190,881 |
268,892 |
-29.0 |
-26.3 |
772,733 |
1,326,906 |
-41.8 |
|
Truck Total |
110,866 |
142,248 |
-22.1 |
-19.1 |
458,368 |
758,722 |
-39.6 |
|
GM Vehicle Deliveries by Marketing Division | |||||||
|
Buick Total |
9,160 |
11,033 |
-17.0 |
-13.8 |
38,622 |
61,532 |
-37.2 |
|
Cadillac Total |
8,027 |
13,348 |
-39.9 |
-37.6 |
40,110 |
74,372 |
-46.1 |
|
Chevrolet Total |
127,510 |
167,202 |
-23.7 |
-20.8 |
490,220 |
804,667 |
-39.1 |
|
GMC Total |
23,926 |
30,724 |
-22.1 |
-19.1 |
98,803 |
166,507 |
-40.7 |
|
HUMMER Total |
1,094 |
1,843 |
-40.6 |
-38.4 |
5,113 |
14,086 |
-63.7 |
|
Pontiac Total |
13,329 |
27,966 |
-52.3 |
-50.5 |
65,054 |
124,352 |
-47.7 |
|
Saab Total |
783 |
2,148 |
-63.5 |
-62.1 |
4,607 |
10,196 |
-54.8 |
|
Saturn Total |
8,046 |
18,099 |
-55.5 |
-53.8 |
35,256 |
83,293 |
-57.7 |
|
GM Vehicle Total |
191,875 |
272,363 |
-29.6 |
-26.8 |
777,785 |
1,339,005 |
-41.9 |
