"GM Bucks Industry Trend - Total Sales Up" For Feb 07

[Perian]

Link: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...=2&docid=33729

GM Reports 311,763 Deliveries in February

GM Bucks Industry Trend - Total Sales Up, Led by an 11 Percent Retail Increase
The Truck Leader - Silverado and Sierra Power 29 Percent Increase in Full-Size Pickups
GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook Drive 97 Percent Retail Increase in Mid-Utility Crossover Sales
Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura Lead 25 Percent Increase in Mid Car Retail Sales

DETROIT - Despite an expected decline in U.S. industry sales, GM reported a 3.4 percent total sales increase, compared with February 2006. The sales gain was due to an 11 percent retail sales increase. Retail and fleet sales by GM dealers in the United States totaled 311,763 vehicles, compared with sales of 301,545 in February 2006. Fleet sales were down 18 percent due to a planned 25 percent reduction in daily rental sales.

"Our pickup, SUV and crossover business was terrific across the board. Our customers are telling us that we have the winning formula - the best products, industry-leading fuel economy and the best value," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North American Sales, Service and Marketing.

February's performance was led by the new GMC Sierra and the North American Truck of the Year Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickups. Silverado had its best February sales month in five years, total full-size pickup sales were up 29 percent and total truck sales were up more than 7 percent compared with last February. The critically-acclaimed new GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook drove a 97 percent retail increase in the mid-crossover segment.

"With GM offering the best coverage in our 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, we believe customers see our vehicles as having outstanding value and quality that is better than the competition. With a less than stellar industry performance, our February sales results stand out," LaNeve added.

The Chevrolet, GMC, Saturn and Pontiac divisions all saw retail increases in February.

Retail truck sales were up 16 percent compared with February 2006 and total truck sales were up 7 percent. Leading the retail sales gains were full-size pickups, up 36 percent compared with February 2006, with positive showings by Chevrolet Avalanche, up 110 percent and Silverado, up 34 percent. GMC Sierra retail sales volume was up 27 percent compared with last February.

Retail increases by the Cadillac Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT, compared with February 2006, pushed GM's large luxury utilities segment up 7 percent compared with last February.

Driven by an increase in Chevrolet Aveo retail sales, GM's economy car segment retail volume was up 17 percent compared with February 2006. A 45 percent retail increase in Pontiac G6 and a 65 percent increase in Chevrolet Impala retail sales, compared with the same month a year ago, pushed GM's mid-car segment retail volume up 25 percent.

In February, GM's mix of total fleet to retail sales continued to improve significantly. Retail sales were 78.5 percent of total sales, compared with 73 percent last February; fleet sales were 21.5 percent, compared with 27 percent last year.

GM February sales reflected the continuing strength of the new product portfolio with competitive incentive spending, balanced with ongoing reductions in daily rental fleet sales.

[Perian]

How nice is this!!

[1487]

Looks good to me. I'm sure Toyota will be up 15% this month.

I thought full size pickup sales were supposed to be drying up due to fuel prices. Doesnt look like it here.

[likearock00]

WHOOOOHHHHOOOO!!!!!

[megeebee]

First reaction: WOW.

I wonder what the bad news is going to be?

(Ain't it awful? I've been conditioned to expect it.)


Wait! It's the "Presidents Day Sale" ! I forgot about it.

[nascarnate326]

CUV's and GMT900 are really starting to move. Hope this leads to a great spring & summer.

[JM9777]

Well, I did not expect this. Good news. Let's hope they can keep it going for March.

[redfox]

That is great news hope it continues.

[guitarlix]

This is certainly good news and evidence of what strong product can do. What I don't understand is all the Certified GM sales. Who buys these certified cars when there's no decent warranty? I had asked the same question in the General Discussion forum and no one answered my question.

[DarkKnight67]

This is excellent news ... as was said, I'm sure that Toyota and Honda will post amazing sales increases over the previous year. There are some wonderful products out there, the problem lies with the public perception of past materials ... and the liberal media not putting out anything other than what they themselves would prefer to hear.

[Ming]

65 percent increase in Chevrolet Impala retail sales

So I'm not the only one who thinks the Impala (especially the E-85 3.5LV6) is a good deal!

Take that, Impala=Fleet critics!

[starlightmica]

I wonder what the bad news is going to be?

Saturn's gains weren't anywhere close to rumors (+50%) I read last week.

[Koasterking]

Great News!

[Perian]

Originally Posted by starlightmica

I wonder what the bad news is going to be?

Saturn's gains weren't anywhere close to rumors (+50%) I read last week.

You may be on to something.

What the heck happened to the Saturn Outlook?

Possibly a typo on GM's part?

[Caleb02]

and what proff do they have to back this up? The only other American car company left is off 13% and GM is up, no way!