GM December Sales Mark Best Retail Month of 2012

[1487]

This is what I have been thinking. The old Impala is still selling pretty well because it is a really great bargain after any incentives and deals are added in. Despite what some have said on this site the New Malibu is a really nice car. I had the opportunity to drive one for almost a week over Thanksgiving. I got lots of compliments on it and I have now officially fallen in love with the My Link infotainment system. Like you I feel certain the Malibu sales will definitely start a serious upward swing once all of the old W-body Impalas are gone. The new Impala is considerably more expensive.

With respect to Regal, it may be priced too closely to LaCrosse. GM should also do a better job of advertising Regal and GS.

For whatever reason GM doesnt seem to be concerned about regal sales- thats probably because they are making money on the car based on global sales, the US sales are just a bonus. The R&D has been paid for long ago on the Insignia/Regal due to China and Europe. GM probably wont drop the regal simply because it isnt hurting them to sell 20k or less a year in the US. I also think they may make the 2014 sportier to separate it from lacrosse. I would like to see the 259hp engine standard and then the GS on top of that. They should make 18s, HIDs, LED tail lights and a few other things standard for around $30k.

[bballr4567]

For whatever reason GM doesnt seem to be concerned about regal sales- thats probably because they are making money on the car based on global sales, the US sales are just a bonus. The R&D has been paid for long ago on the Insignia/Regal due to China and Europe. GM probably wont drop the regal simply because it isnt hurting them to sell 20k or less a year in the US. I also think they may make the 2014 sportier to separate it from lacrosse. I would like to see the 259hp engine standard and then the GS on top of that. They should make 18s, HIDs, LED tail lights and a few other things standard for around $30k.

Last year the Regal outsold the Malibu for worldwide sales.

However, its clear they certainly dont care about the US sales. They have been holding steady at 1500 units production a month for the last few months. You cant have a winner everytime when you have 8 midsize sedans in your portfolio.

[megeebee]

Lots of good news in there, but also some real issues to address. CTS is trending downward and the ATS will barely fill the gap. Cadillac needs some last year of the current CTS special editions to keep transaction prices up and the CTS at reasonable volume.

The ATS is new and only now building inventory. The CTS is ancient (except the coupe) and production of the current sedan will end by September if not earlier. Special editions are a waste of time and money.

[Rickster97801]

I think they really screwed up by not offering a V6 in the Regal.

[BahamaTodd]

The ATS is new and only now building inventory. The CTS is ancient (except the coupe) and production of the current sedan will end by September if not earlier. Special editions are a waste of time and money.

Also keep in mind that some of those potential CTS buyers could have also moved up to the XTS.

[rsbaker]

I think they really screwed up by not offering a V6 in the Regal.

. . . and All wheel Drive!

[bballr4567]

I think they really screwed up by not offering a V6 in the Regal.

. . . and All wheel Drive!

Why would they? A V6 would make it even more nose heavy. AWD would add almost 200lbs to the vehicle.

Then, all you special people would claim its too heavy and too expensive!

[1487]

Last year the Regal outsold the Malibu for worldwide sales.

However, its clear they certainly dont care about the US sales. They have been holding steady at 1500 units production a month for the last few months. You cant have a winner everytime when you have 8 midsize sedans in your portfolio.

exactly, Buick has decided to preserve resale value of regal and accept the modest sales. The crazy thing is the TSX isnt doing much better. Buick's sales are like 95% retail.

[chevypowa670]

pretty good month overall.


-Volt sales are starting to look pretty darn good. Would be nice to see them hit 35,000-40,000 units in 2013

-Verano lookin good as well. Its a nice looking car in person. simple, clean and elegant. I think GM did a good job with that design direction.

-Equinox and Terrain continue to go strong, very nice too see.

-Sonic, Cruze and Spark end the year strong. GM really has to like where Chevy's small car offerings are at right now. Especially the Sonic.

-I wish the Malibu sales would start to pick up, I really didnt like the car at first but now since I have had the chance to see more on the road I am really starting to warm up to its looks. For 2013 it would be nice to atleast see it selling in the 14-15 K a month territory...That shouldn't be too much to ask for.

[bballr4567]

exactly, Buick has decided to preserve resale value of regal and accept the modest sales. The crazy thing is the TSX isnt doing much better. Buick's sales are like 95% retail.

I havent seen the TSX for the year. The FWD midsize premium is a tiny market.

It looks like GM outdid Ford if Im reading the press release right. lol

[Elvisuperman]

Ford sold 645,316 F-150's in 2012, compared to the GM twins' sales of approx 576,000.

Focus outsold the Cruze in 2012; 245,922 / 237,758

The FORD brand sold 2,168,015 vehicles in 2012, the only brand in the US to sell over 2million vehicles.

http://media.ford.com/images/10031/Dec12sales.pdf

[63GrandSport001]

For whatever reason GM doesnt seem to be concerned about regal sales- thats probably because they are making money on the car based on global sales, the US sales are just a bonus. The R&D has been paid for long ago on the Insignia/Regal due to China and Europe. GM probably wont drop the regal simply because it isnt hurting them to sell 20k or less a year in the US. I also think they may make the 2014 sportier to separate it from lacrosse. I would like to see the 259hp engine standard and then the GS on top of that. They should make 18s, HIDs, LED tail lights and a few other things standard for around $30k.

When they Verano came out, the Regal dropped its lower trim level and ended the incentive on it. Naturally we are only seeing the sales of the regal that were from the higher trim levels. GM is ok with this because the transaction price is WAY up on the Regal as a result.

[Ed753]

For once, please do not start the same old Regal/Malibu BS/sky is falling BS.

Atta-BOY GM, bravo combined sales of Regal/Malibu broke 13K coming it at 13,156

They just started production of them in the middle of last month. Not really enough inventory to go around and with the sale the '12 models had, I can see inventory being a little low or people waiting for the much better '13 models.

Hard to believe inventory is an issue, my local dealer, literally had them "parked in the isles" as of today, showing 289 in stock, of the 289, 287 are 2013's.

Ed will be here shortly, no worries

Sorry I'm late, had a meeting, running to lunch now.

One thing about the retail sales, and don't get me wrong that is great news, December is a big month for employee (retail) purchases almost all white-collar had 2 weeks off, and 1/2 of GM's blue-collar had 3 or 4 weeks off, due to plants being idled, kind of a double whammy-fix for the excess inventory! Plus, they were pushing some amazing deals.

[BlackGTP]

This is what I have been thinking. The old Impala is still selling pretty well because it is a really great bargain after any incentives and deals are added in. Despite what some have said on this site the New Malibu is a really nice car. I had the opportunity to drive one for almost a week over Thanksgiving. I got lots of compliments on it and I have now officially fallen in love with the My Link infotainment system. Like you I feel certain the Malibu sales will definitely start a serious upward swing once all of the old W-body Impalas are gone. The new Impala is considerably more expensive.

With respect to Regal, it may be priced too closely to LaCrosse. GM should also do a better job of advertising Regal and GS.

Once the old Impala is gone Malibu sales will go way up due to fleet sales. I suspect the new Impala will be to pricey for most fleets and they will gravitate to the Malibu (or another brand altogether).

[bballr4567]

Hard to believe inventory is an issue, my local dealer, literally had them "parked in the isles" as of today, showing 289 in stock, of the 289, 287 are 2013's.

You must have one special dealer to get them so many so damn fast. In all of the Evansville area there are right around 50 2013s with lots showing as in transit. There are over 100 2012s on the lots. This is just the Traverse though.