GM Reports September Sales

[nsap]

GM Reports September Sales

DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the United States sold 349,202 new cars and trucks in September, down 24 percent from the same month a year ago. Car sales declined 14.5 percent and truck sales were off 29.5 percent.
GM's September sales results were down following a strong performance in June and July, paced by the GM Employee Discount for Everyone program. September results also were impacted by comparison to very strong year-ago sales, when GM ran its "72-Hour Sale," which offered 0 percent financing for 72 months, resulting in a number of industry sales records.

"We knew going into September that it would be challenging given continued inventory constraints and compared to exceptionally strong year-ago results," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "The four-month period of the GM Employee Discount for Everyone drove a 6 percent increase in sales and pushed inventory levels to record lows. We're particularly pleased that we continue to experience strong sales of our launch vehicles, led by the HUMMER H3, Pontiac G6, Cadillac DTS and Chevrolet Impala and HHR, which our dealers tell us are moving off their lots as quickly as they arrive from the plant."

As Chevrolet begins its second wave of product introductions with an additional 10 new vehicles by the end of 2006, the new Impala, HHR and Cobalt continue to build sales momentum. Impala deliveries have been very strong as production continues to ramp up, achieving turn rates over 43 percent. September sales of the 2006 Impala totaled 18,603 units. HHR sales in September were 55 percent greater than August and also are spending little time in dealers' inventories, with a turn rate over 40 percent. Cobalt sales continue at a brisk pace despite very low inventories, and it is drawing new owners into the GM family with more than 40 percent of its sales for the calendar year-to-date coming from non-GM owners.

Other GM launch vehicles also continue to build momentum in the market. H3 is driving record HUMMER sales performance and appealing to new GM customers. About 70 percent of H3 buyers previously were not GM owners. HUMMER's September deliveries were up 128 percent compared to last year, and H2 sales hit a milestone in September with delivery of the 100,000th vehicle.

Retail sales of the Buick LaCrosse for the ninth consecutive month surpassed year-ago combined retail sales for Century and Regal.

Pontiac G6 recorded its best sales since launch, with 13,422 deliveries, bolstered by the arrival of the G6 coupe.

Saturn's September sales were up 8 percent, spurred by an 18 percent increase in sales of the new Vue, which also is experiencing high turn rates and low inventory.

GM continues to rebuild its inventories, which at the end of September were approximately 818,000 units.

Certified Used Vehicles

September sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Used Cars from Saturn and Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 41,532 units, down 5 percent from last September. Total year-to-date certified GM sales are 402,469 units, up nearly 3 percent from the same period last year.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted sales of 35,416 units, down 4 percent from the previous September. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 341,769 units, up 4 percent.

Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted September sales of 2,924 units, down 11 percent from last September. Cadillac Certified year-to-date sales are up 10 percent over the same period in 2004. Used Cars from Saturn sold 2,336 units, down 17 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 856 units, up nearly 12 percent.

"September completes an outstanding third quarter for GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling certified brand, which established a new all-time quarterly sales record for the category with 122,039 units sold," LaNeve said. "Looking ahead, we're confident that GM Certified will continue to set the pace for the certified segment in the coming quarter."

GM North America Reports September and 2005 Third-Quarter Production, 2005 Fourth-Quarter Production Forecast Remains Unchanged

GM North America in September produced 454,000 vehicles (165,000 cars and 289,000 trucks), compared to 470,000 vehicles (184,000 cars and 286,000 trucks) produced in September 2004. Production totals include joint venture production of 26,000 vehicles in September 2005 and 21,000 vehicles in September 2004.

In the third quarter of 2005, the region produced 1.144 million vehicles (423,000 cars and 721,000 trucks). In the third quarter of 2004, the region produced 1.209 million vehicles (463,000 cars and 746,000 trucks). The region's 2005 fourth-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.3 million vehicles (473,000 cars and 827,000 trucks). In the fourth quarter of 2004, the region produced 1.277 million vehicles (466,000 cars and 811,000 trucks).

GM also announced 2005 revised third-quarter and fourth-quarter production forecasts for its international regions:

GM Europe - GM Europe's 2005 third-quarter production forecast remains at 412,000 vehicles. In the third quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 411,000 vehicles. The region's revised 2005 fourth-quarter production forecast is 458,000 vehicles, down 13,000 units from last month's guidance. In the fourth quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 442,000 vehicles.

GM Asia Pacific - GM Asia Pacific's revised 2005 third-quarter production estimate is 409,000 vehicles, down 10,000 units from last month's guidance. In the third quarter of 2004, GM Asia Pacific built 314,000 vehicles. The region's 2005 fourth quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 447,000 vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the region built 386,000 vehicles.

GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - The region's revised 2005 third-quarter production estimate is 207,000 vehicles, down 2,000 units from last month's guidance. In the third quarter of 2004, the region built 185,000 vehicles. The region's revised 2005 fourth-quarter production estimate is 192,000 vehicles, down 5,000 units from last month's guidance. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the region built 200,000 vehicles.

[nsap]

Impala, HHR, and especially G6 sales are very good news.

Also note that Chevrolet is still the best selling brand in America, continuing to take the the title from Ford.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by GM Media

Pontiac G6 recorded its best sales since launch, with 13,422 deliveries, bolstered by the arrival of the G6 coupe.

One of those is because of me!



It's shocking to have such a dramatic decline in both car and truck sales. One could argue that Ford and GM suffered declines due to Employee Pricing. But then how do you explain Chrysler? Product?

[AdmiralViscen]

I still say that it's good to see that GM's newest products are not only selling well, but taking competitor's sales.

[saturnsteve]

Saturn was up 8%, that's not bad!

[Buick61]

Cobalt sold 17,500? Isn't that down by about 10,000 over previous months? Sheesh.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by Buick61

One of those is because of me!



It's shocking to have such a dramatic decline in both car and truck sales. One could argue that Ford and GM suffered declines due to Employee Pricing. But then how do you explain Chrysler? Product?

I don't know about Ford, but as far as GM vs. Chrysler is concerned. GM had the employee pricing earlier than DCX, and that month was a killer month. It can't be that people aren't feeling GM cars because the 2006 models are all doing amazingly well, its just due to the extremely low volume of 2005 models, and I dont think we will see another gain until January or February.

[GM_Fanatic]

DANG! STS up 86%!

It looks like GM got a big boost from commercial truck sales.

Malibu's numbers are dang good too....is that a result of the new face?

[member12]

I knew I was seeing a lot of 2006 Impalas, Malibus, and HHRs on the road......

[paul8488]

I don't have numbers to confirm... but I'm certain the 500 wasn't selling at 18,000 units a month its first few months out. Am I wrong? The Impala has had an incredible start.

G6 is beating Grand Am, Aveo and Vibe are up slightly, Lacrosse is floating Buick car sales, Grand Prix and Malibu are doing better than I guessed it would, Monte Carlo has bottomed out, DTS is doing better than STS, truck and SUV sales are in the toilet. Those are the highlights I see! Sadly, the Avalon is outselling the STS by 4 times!

[TransAmTrance]

i have been seeing ALOT of new impalas and g6's here in CT, not too mch of hhr tho.. but i have to admit the 06 impala is a SWEET looking car

[IMPALAon20s]

Originally Posted by GM_Fanatic

DANG! STS up 86%!

STS is new vehicle, so its to be expected to do well. but i too am suprised at how well.

[joey]

I'm worried about October. No employee discount, and limit inventory on hot models.
"Value pricing" on the rest of the '06 line is not gonna cut it. We need better value GM!

[GM_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by IMPALAon20s

STS is new vehicle, so its to be expected to do well. but i too am suprised at how well.

I thought supply had caught up with initial demand by now. I see them all over.

Originally Posted by joey

I'm worried about October. No employee discount, and limit inventory on hot models.
"Value pricing" on the rest of the '06 line is not gonna cut it. We need better value GM!

Do you want GM to give away their vehicles? Man their numbers would shoot through the roof! Low inventory of 05 models is a fact of life now, deal with it. But GM needed to clear everything out anyhow. GM has a ton of 06's that are selling good and still ramping up.

[pkd87]

Originally Posted by GM Media

Cobalt sales continue at a brisk pace despite very low inventories, and it is drawing new owners into the GM family with more than 40 percent of its sales for the calendar year-to-date coming from non-GM owners

Thats seems like a high number but good news. Lets hope thar 40% comes back for another GM vehicle.