GM sales rise 20% in September 2004

[tgagneguam]

GM Reports September Sales of 458,799, Up 20 Percent

GM Sets All-Time Industry Sales Records for Trucks, SUVs and Full-Size Pickups
Chevrolet Posts Best Sales Since October 2001; GMC Since December 2002

DETROIT - General Motors dealers sold 458,799 new cars and trucks in September, up 20 percent compared to year-ago levels. GM's truck sales (287,129) were up 32.5 percent, and car sales (171,670) were up 3 percent. Third-quarter sales (1,324,685) were up 2 percent.

"GM's September results included all-time industry record sales of trucks, SUVs and full-size pickups," said John Smith, group vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Chevrolet enjoyed its best month since October 2001, with strong sales of Aveo, Malibu, Equinox and Colorado. Other launch products - Cadillac SRX, GMC Canyon and Pontiac GTO - also had strong sales. New vehicles such as Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G6 and Buick LaCrosse should add to the sales excitement."

GM Truck Sales

GM's truck lineup posted industry-record September sales. Full-size pickups and sport utility vehicles both set industry sales records. Full-size pickup deliveries (108,742) posted a 42 percent gain, led by record Chevrolet full-size pickup sales, up 41 percent, and record GMC Sierra sales, up 47 percent. This is the eighth consecutive month that GM full-size pickups led the industry. Deliveries of medium pickups were up 33 percent (16,022), as Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon continued to build sales strength.

GM again set a new industry benchmark for utility vehicle sales. SUV sales (134,819) improved 35 percent compared to year-ago levels, surpassing the 100,000-unit sales mark for the sixth month this year. Third-quarter utility sales gained 12 percent (382,076), also setting another record.

September deliveries of medium utilities (54,212) improved 41 percent, led by record Chevrolet TrailBlazer sales, up 57 percent (28,175) and record GMC Envoy sales, up 62 percent (14,792). Medium utility sales increased 12 percent in the third quarter (160,954), setting an industry record.

Small utilities continued to gain sales strength in September, with 19,456 deliveries, a 109 percent increase compared to last year. Chevrolet Equinox had its best sales month since launch with 12,126 deliveries, a 41 percent improvement over August. Small utility sales were up 66 percent in the third quarter (52,542).

GM Car Sales

GM car sales rose 3 percent compared to last September. There were several pockets of strength. Cadillac CTS continued its record sales momentum with a 28 percent increase in September (4,202) and a 21 percent sales improvement in the third quarter (13,831). Malibu sales were up 144 percent in September (18,469) and 123 percent in the third quarter (61,183)

Divisional Highlights

Chevrolet - Chevrolet sales in September were up 36 percent (283,264), led by very strong truck sales (193,476), which improved 37 percent. In addition to Equinox and TrailBlazer, Silverado sales were up 46 percent (77,007), a new September record. Colorado posted its best sales since its introduction (12,493). Chevrolet car sales were solid in September with 89,788 deliveries, a 35 percent improvement over last year. In addition to strong Malibu sales, Aveo posted 6,195 deliveries and Corvette set a new monthly sales record (3,705).

Chevrolet's third-quarter sales were up 8 percent compared to year-ago levels (795,918). Car sales increased 20 percent (264,648) in the third quarter.

Cadillac - Cadillac sales in September were up 2 percent. Its record-setting truck sales pace continued in September with 7,863 deliveries, a 28 percent improvement. Escalade ESV sales (1,521) were up 23 percent, a new monthly record, and SRX deliveries were 2,439. Cadillac's third-quarter performance was strong, as evidenced by a total sales improvement of 9 percent (63,453) and a 51 percent increase in truck sales (24,318).

GMC - GMC continued its exceptional sales pace with record sales (62,754), up 32 percent compared to last September. It remains on track to exceed 600,000 sales for the first time in its history. Envoy established a new monthly sales record (14,792), up 62 percent and Canyon had 2,999 deliveries. GMC's third-quarter sales improved 7 percent compared to year-ago levels (174,604) and set a new third quarter record.

Pontiac - Bonneville sales (2,884), buoyed by GXP deliveries, jumped 137 percent in September. GTO had its best sales since launch with 2,678 deliveries, up 177 percent compared to August and its best monthly sales since launch. Vibe had record September sales, up 61 percent (5,227). Third-quarter Bonneville sales were up 84 percent (9,733), and Vibe deliveries improved 32 percent (16,040), a monthly record. The all-new G6s are arriving in dealers' showrooms.

Saturn - Saturn Ion sales increased 29.5 percent compared to last September (9,816).

Buick - Buick truck sales were up 45 percent in September (7,888), with Rainier posting its best sales since launch with 3,338 deliveries. Third-quarter truck sales rose 30 percent (22,395).

Certified Used Vehicles

September sales for all GM certified used vehicle brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned, Used Cars from Saturn and Saab Certified Pre-Owned, were 43,612 units, up 14 percent from September 2003. Year-to-date sales were up 10 percent. GM's third-quarter sales of 132,741 units set a new quarterly high for the certified category.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted September sales of 36,854 units, up 15 percent from year-ago levels. GM Certified Used Vehicles continued to lead all certified pre-owned brands industry-wide with calendar year-to-date sales of 328,723 units, an 11 percent increase from the same period last year.

Cadillac Certified Pre-owned Vehicles posted sales of 3,301 units, up 24 percent from last September. Used Cars from Saturn sold 2,811 units, up 4 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 646 units, down 26 percent.

"With record quarterly sales, GM is building momentum as the category leader in certified pre-owned sales," Smith said. "GM Certified Used Vehicles sales were up 15 percent in September and 11 percent year-to-date, while Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned recorded a strong 24 percent increase in September. GM continues to drive the certified segment, with 2004 sales up more than 10 percent through September."

GM North America 2004 Calendar Year Production Forecast Unchanged at 5.22 Million Vehicles

In September, GM North America produced 469,000 vehicles (183,500 cars and 285,500 trucks) in North America, compared to 518,000 vehicles (215,000 cars and 303,000 trucks) produced in September 2003. Production totals include joint venture production of 21,000 vehicles in September 2004 and 15,500 vehicles in September 2003.

In the third quarter, GM North America built 1.209 million vehicles (463,000 cars and 746,000 trucks), up approximately 9,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. In the third quarter of 2003, GM North America built 1.245 million vehicles (492,000 cars and 753,000 trucks).

In addition, GM North America's current fourth-quarter production forecast is 1.28 million vehicles (479,000 cars and 801,000 trucks), down 10,000 vehicles from last month's initial guidance. In the fourth quarter of 2003, GM North America built 1.385 million vehicles (558,000 cars and 827,000 trucks). GM North America's current 2004 calendar year production forecast is 5.22 million vehicles, unchanged from last month's guidance.

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

GM Europe - The region's current third-quarter forecast is 398,000 vehicles, down 3,000 vehicles from last month's forecast of 401,000 vehicles. In the third quarter of 2003, GM Europe built 393,000 vehicles. The region's current fourth-quarter forecast is 448,000 vehicles, down 29,000 vehicles from last month's initial guidance of 477,000 vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2003, the region built 446,000 vehicles.

GM Asia Pacific - The region's current third-quarter production forecast is 151,000 vehicles, down 1,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. In the third quarter of 2003, the Asia Pacific region built 120,000 vehicles. GM Asia Pacific's current fourth-quarter production forecast is 167,000 vehicles, up 5,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. In the fourth quarter of 2003, the region built 133,000 vehicles.

GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East - GM's current third-quarter production guidance for the region is 189,000 vehicles, down 1,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. The region built 135,000 vehicles in the third quarter of 2003. The region's revised fourth-quarter forecast is 193,000 vehicles, up 4,000 vehicles from last month's initial guidance. In the fourth quarter of 2003, the region built 157,000 vehicles.

GM Media Online

[Butta]

VERY NICE!

[crazywop112]

Wooohhooo!

[ShArk]

good month for them.

[W.A.F.U.]

Originally posted by laserwizard@Oct 1 2004, 08:41 PM
Keep this month's results firmly frozen in your mind. GM has just sabotaged its 2005 model kickoff. They've traded profitability for sales volume. Stupid is as stupid does.

Agreed. All of those car buyers that were on the fence have jumped off and into 2004 models.

However, the 2004 models have to be sold. They lose more money with a 2004 sitting on a lot than a 2005 at this point in time.

GM will never be able to get rid of incentives. The best they can hope for is to drag Toyota and Honda down to their level. I think it's working though because I saw a 0% financing for Toyota for the first time recently. LOL.

[surferdude00711]

yey

[camaro chris]

its always wonderful to hear GM is doing well

[rme8494]

Yea I'm worried too. A great third quarter will probably be followed by a bad 4th and 1st quarter. I would like to by a new car but couldn't afford to do it this past week. Now I'm always going to be wondering, hmmm will they bring 0% for 72 months back?

Good job for GM! I'm happy for them, but I'm afraid what the rest of the year will bring.

Ryan

[TaHoE]

Originally posted by laserwizard@Oct 1 2004, 03:41 PM
Keep this month's results firmly frozen in your mind. GM has just sabotaged its 2005 model kickoff. They've traded profitability for sales volume. Stupid is as stupid does.

Hows that?

[HEVguy]

Wow! Big increases across the board.

Yeah, this can mean it is hard to beat these statistics at other times (like '05 Sept. sales that LW mentions), true, but overall, selling more cars is a good thing!

Plus, August wasn't so good, so August should be great (statistically speaking) next year.

[rme8494]

Ineresting...


"Thanks mainly to the new version of the Super Duty truck built at the Kentucky Truck Plant in eastern Jefferson County, sales of Ford F-Series trucks rose 22 percent in September over what had been record numbers for 2003.

Overall, Ford vehicle sales fell 4 percent despite heavy discounting and no-interest financing offers. Sport utility vehicle sales declined and car sales fell 19 percent. Sales of the Louisville and St. Louis-built Explorer SUV fell 17 percent in the month."

Super Duty sales lead F-Series higher, but overall Ford sales decline

That changes my opinion a little bit about GMs numbers. Ford offered 0% longer than GM did, and still didn't match the numbers. Anyone else have more numbers of Ford?

[GMObsession6]

Great news!

[awalbert88]

Originally posted by rme8494@Oct 1 2004, 04:49 PM
Ineresting...


"Thanks mainly to the new version of the Super Duty truck built at the Kentucky Truck Plant in eastern Jefferson County, sales of Ford F-Series trucks rose 22 percent in September over what had been record numbers for 2003.

Overall, Ford vehicle sales fell 4 percent despite heavy discounting and no-interest financing offers. Sport utility vehicle sales declined and car sales fell 19 percent. Sales of the Louisville and St. Louis-built Explorer SUV fell 17 percent in the month."

Super Duty sales lead F-Series higher, but overall Ford sales decline

That changes my opinion a little bit about GMs numbers. Ford offered 0% longer than GM did, and still didn't match the numbers. Anyone else have more numbers of Ford?

Most of Ford's 05 models, didn't arrive at all in September, unfortunately. Thusly, there wasn't much in the way of new product to bolster sales.

I'm a bit shocked at a 20% sales increase by GM, though... it won't last of course, but it's still good news for them.

[ibechip]

Definately can't complain about that. Just think what will happen when we transition from the Cavalier to Cobalt and from Grand Am to G6. I can't wait.

[marinerbc]

Originally posted by ibechip@Oct 1 2004, 02:59 PM
Definately can't complain about that.  Just think what will happen when we transition from the Cavalier to Cobalt and from Grand Am to G6.  I can't wait.

I know what you mean. I was told (quite rightly, I might add) by a poster in here that the local dealer might take out a restraining order on me, for asking when G6 will be here. (I've asked twice)

This is looking to be another Golden Age. I'm hoping that we'll all remember when GM turned the corner, and became fun again. "Remember how bad it was? All those plastic Cavys! All they needed to do was build a Cobalt a couple of years before that actually did..."