GM Reports 393,197 in May
DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the U.S. sold 393,197 new cars and trucks in May, down 5 percent on a selling days adjusted basis. GM's truck sales (238,471) were down 7 percent, due in part to a very strong year-ago comparison when GM set industry sales records for total truck and sport utility vehicle deliveries. Car sales in May (154,726) were down just 1 percent, led by Chevrolet and Cadillac and the sales strength of their new vehicles.
"We are pleased with the increasing market acceptance of our new cars and trucks," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "For the second consecutive month, combined launch vehicle deliveries improved substantially, led by Cadillac STS and record sales of Chevrolet Cobalt. Broad-based consumer acceptance and enthusiasm for our new vehicles is key to building a strong base for the future growth of our divisions, beginning with our foundational divisions, Cadillac and Chevrolet."
Retail deliveries of several new vehicles again outsold previous year retail sales of the models they replaced. Chevrolet Cobalt retail sales were up 73 percent compared to May 2004 retail sales of Cavalier. Buick LaCrosse retail deliveries were twice the combined Century and Regal retail volume of May 2004. Pontiac G6 retail sales were 92 percent higher than year-ago retail Grand Am V6 sales.
Cadillac sales improved 12 percent, posting its best May sales since 1993 and led by record CTS deliveries and strong STS sales. CTS sales were up 20 percent, marking the 13th time in the last 17 months that CTS deliveries equaled or improved upon the previous year's sales. STS had 3,346 deliveries in May.
Chevrolet car sales increased 12 percent in May led by record Cobalt sales that were 17 percent higher than April levels. Cobalt deliveries have increased every month since its November 2004 launch. Among other Chevrolet launch vehicles, Equinox sales were 47 percent above year-ago levels. This was the 7th time in the last nine months that Equinox deliveries surpassed the 10,000-unit mark. Aveo achieved its third best monthly sales since launch, recording May deliveries that were 38 percent greater than last year. Chevrolet's new product introductions continue throughout 2005 with the HHR scheduled for introduction in the late summer/early fall and the new Impala and Monte Carlo scheduled for arrival later this year.
HUMMER posted a 62 percent sales increase compared to year-ago levels, in part due to the first deliveries of the all-new H3. H2 also contributed to HUMMER's May sales improvement with a 10 percent increase compared to last year.
Highlights of GM's truck sales: While total truck sales in May were down compared to year-ago levels due to a strong year-ago comparison, they were up 25 percent versus April. Full-size pickup sales improved 24 percent over April levels, and utility sales were up 36 percent. Utility deliveries again exceeded the 100,000-unit barrier, a level no other manufacturer has ever achieved. Individual models that posted sales improvements compared to year-ago levels included Chevrolet Silverado (+4 percent) and GMC Sierra (+8 percent) and Canyon (+30 percent).
Certified Used Vehicles
May sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned, Used Cars from Saturn and Saab Certified Pre-Owned, were 39,739units, down 10 percent. Calendar year-to-date certified GM sales are 216,130 units, up 1 percent.
GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted sales of 33,465 units, down 8 percent. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 183,875, up 2 percent.
Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted 3,141 sales, up 16 percent. Used Cars from Saturn sold 2,212 units, down 47 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 921 units, up 22 percent.
"GM's luxury certified brands performed strongly in May, with Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned sales up 16 percent and Saab Certified Pre-Owned up 22 percent," LaNeve said. "GM Certified Used Vehicles, the category sales leader, continues to set the pace for all manufacturers in the certified category, with calendar year-to-date sales up 2 percent over last year's segment record performance. We're optimistic about continued growth through the remainder of 2005."
GM North America Reports May Production Results, 2005 Second-Quarter Production Forecast Remains Unchanged, 2005 Third-Quarter Production Forecast Set at 1.1 Million Units
In May, GM North America produced 408,000 vehicles (150,000 cars and 258,000 trucks), compared to 451,500 vehicles (172,000 cars and 279,500 trucks) produced in May 2004. Production totals include joint venture production of 21,000 vehicles in May 2005 and 21,500 vehicles in May 2004.
The region's 2005 second-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.25 million vehicles (431,000 cars and 819,000 trucks). This is down 10 percent from second quarter 2004 actuals. In the second quarter of 2004, the region produced 1.389 million vehicles (543,000 cars and 846,000 trucks). Additionally, the region's initial 2005 third-quarter production forecast is 1.1 million vehicles (405,000 cars and 695,000 trucks). This is down 9 percent from third quarter 2004 actuals. In the third quarter of 2004, the region produced 1.209 million vehicles (463,000 cars and 746,000 trucks).
GM also announced revised 2005 second-quarter production and initial third-quarter production forecasts for its international regions:
GM Europe - GM Europe's revised 2005 second-quarter production forecast is 503,000 vehicles, up 3,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. In the second quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 503,000 vehicles. The region's initial 2005 third-quarter production forecast is 403,000 vehicles. In the third quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 411,000 vehicles.
GM Asia Pacific - GM Asia Pacific's revised 2005 second-quarter production estimate is 396,000 vehicles, up 6,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. In the second quarter of 2004, GM Asia Pacific built 337,000 vehicles. In addition, the region's initial 2005 third-quarter production estimate is 414,000 vehicles. In the third quarter of 2004, GM Asia Pacific built 314,000 vehicles.
GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - The region's revised 2005 second-quarter production estimate is 195,000 vehicles, down 12,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. In the second quarter of 2004, the region built 172,000 vehicles. Also, the region's initial 2005 third-quarter production estimate is 199,000 vehicles. In the third quarter of 2004, the region built 185,000 vehicles.