GM Reports 323,453 December Deliveries; 3.87 Million Vehicles Sold in 2007

[63GrandSport001]

There were a few bright spots for 2007.

Aveo was up by 58.4% last month and was up by 15.1% for the year, this shows that the updated model is doing well. I also think that it looks better then the Yaris and the Fit is a Hatch which typically have limited success in America.

Chevy Impala broke 300,000 units last year at 311,000 which I believe makes it the best selling model year for the FWD Impala beating out the 290,000 figure. Considering that the Impala was redone for 2006 and in its second year run with reduced fleet sales it sold even more. (if the Impala stays FWD its not due to the 35MPG CAFE)

the new Malibu still isnt built in high enough numbers to make a huge sales impact but I think that the new Malibu can take over the Impala's spot for Chevy.

the Enclave has almost completely replace the sales that were brought in by 3 different names that is really good.

HHR is still selling strong which I didn't think it would be selling this strong this far into its life cycle being a retro vehicle. High fuel prices have hurt the sales of the GMT-900 however GM now controls some 80% of the full size SUV market, its just a shrinking market.

What GM should do for the mid sized truck based SUVs is they should maybe consider killing off the Envoy and let the Trailblazer and Acadia to pick up the sales from that vehicle. That market is shrinking so GM should plan for that shrinkage and be ahead of the shrinking curve.

[AMERICA 123]

Pardon the rewrite .

Originally Posted by mpsrent

6.1% <is great> in a < very tough ,> declining market <especially when coupled> with a sincere effort to reduce rental sales <and the increased profitability the 2007 mix represents .> As retail sales are flat, I think GM can be satisfied with 2007 as a whole , < especially when all the numbers are looked at as well as all the trends - for the others as well as themselves .>

Three areas of concern (not to suggest that there aren't more) that I noticed are: 1) GM has played the rental fleet story as much as they can - there really isn't room for more reductions <NOPE . They can go from 74 to 80% retail in 2008 .> 2) Saturn - <while there was a substantial and commendable 6.1%> increase, car sales are down and the increase can be attributed to one model, the Outlook. A Chevy Lambda can cut into the Outlook.< Not if its handled right> 3) 2008 will be a very tough market that could negatively impact <current volume targets for everybody including Saturn>

[AMERICA 123]

TOYOTA RETAIL SALES
(INCLUDES FLEET & HAWAII)
39440

.......----- CURRENT MONTH -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
.................DSR % DSR %
.................2007 2006....CHG ...2007.... 2006.... CHG


CAMRY ...38,831 39,539 -1.8 ..473,108 448,445.. 5.2

COROLLA 28,582 29,378 -2.7.. 371,390 387,388 -4.4

PRIUS ....14,212 9,291.. 53.0.. 181,221 106,971.. 68.9

AVALON... 5,694 7,955 -28.4 . 072,945.088,938 -18.2

YARIS ......5,477 6,226 -12.0.. 84,799... 70,308... 20.2
*********



SCION xA ...0014. 2,000 -99.3..... 9,547..32,603 -70.8
SCION xD ..1,638 ..- - ................10,948. - -...............

SCION xB ..3,785. 3,330. 13.7..... 45,834.. 61,306 -25.5

SCION tC ..3,507. 4,996 -29.8 ... 63,852.. 79,125 -19.6


TOTAL TOY/SCION DIV.
PASS. CAR 101,74 1 102,717 -1.0..... 1,313,651 1,275,119 2.7
*******




ES 350.......... 8,005 8,736 -8.4 .82,867. 75,987.. 8.7

LS 460/600h L 3,257 3,865 -15.7 35,226. 19,546. 79.6

SC 430............ 348.. 486 -28.4 ... 3,927.. 5,847. -33.1
GS 350.......... 2,254 1,989 13.3.... 21,314. 23,665 -10.2
GS 460/450h.... 325 ..299.. 8.7..... 2,067... 3,725 -44.7
IS 250/350..... 5,651 5,538. 2.0..... 54,933. 54,267... 0.9


TOTAL LEXUS
PASS. CAR... 19,840 20,913 -5.1 ...200,334 183,037. 9.1

TOTAL TyScLx
PASS. CAR 121,581 123,630 -1.7 1,513,985 1,458,156 3.5
**********





SIENNA........ 12,350 16,090 -23.2 138,162 163,269 -15.7

RAV4........ ...13,816 13,784... 0.2. 172,752 152,047. 13.2

FJ CRUISER.... 4,079 5,849.. -30.3 ..55,170.. 56,225. -2.2

4RUNNER....... 7,421 8,895.. -16.6.. 87,718. 103,086 -15.2

HIGHLANDER. 14,714 11,700.. 25.8 127,878.. 129,794 -1.8

LAND CRUISER... 648... 350... 85.1... 3,251..... 3,376. -4.0

SEQUOIA....... 2,567. 3,377. -24.0 .23,273.... 34,315 -32.4

TOTAL SUV.. 43,245 43,955 -1.6 470,042 478,843 -2.2
*******



4X2 TACOMA..... 7,858 9,040 -13.1 102,696 105,127 -2.6

4X4 TACOMA..... 5,431. 6,817 -20.3 .70,542.. 73,224 -4.0

TOTAL TACOMA 13,289 15,857 -16.2 173,238 178,351 -3.2

TUNDRA ...........19,219 12,468 54.1 196,555 124,508 57.4

TOTAL PICKUP... 32,508 28,325 14.8 369,793. 302,859 21.7
*********


TOTAL TOYOTA DIV.
LT TRUCK......... 88,103 88,370 -0.3 977,997 944,971 3.2
*******



LX 470........... 132... 514 -74.3 .2,468. 5,595 -56.0

GX 470......... 2,748 3,029.. -9.3 23,035 25,454 -9.8

RX 350/400h 11,835 12,779 -7.4 103,340 108,348 -4.9

TOTAL LEXUS
LIGHT TRUCK 14,715 16,322 -9.8 128,843 139,397 -7.9


TOTAL TOYOTA
LIGHT TRUCK.......... 102,818 104,692 -1.8 1,106,840 1,084,368 1.7


TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. 189,844 191,087 -0.7 2,291,648 2,220,090 2.9


TOTAL LEXUS........... 34,555.. 37,235 -7.2 ..329,177... 322,434 1.8


TOTAL TOYOTA...... 224,399. 228,322 -1.7 2,620,825 2,542,524 2.7


SELLING DAYS........ 26......... 26.............. 307....... ..306





SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES........ 53,881 54,428 -1.0.. 543,715 562,015 -3.6
Memo: Lexus Sport
Utility.............. 14,715 16,322 -9.8 ..128,843 139,397 -7.9

SMALL VANS..... 12,350 16,090 -23.2 138,162 163,269 -15.7

PICKUPS........... 32,508 28,325. 14.8. 369,793 302,859. 21.7

% OF TOTAL...... 57.0% 52.5%........... 55.1%... 53.7%

SELLING DAYS.... 26...... 26............... 307....... 306
DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE

*********

So..... how would all our Resident Saturn Pessimists interpret Toyotas numbers ?

[racy]

Originally Posted by BerettaZ

The Saturn turn around is going to take time; the common, non-car person still thinks of Saturn as cheap, small cars - it will take awhile to change this perception, and with a small dealer network, the challenge is even greater. The perception issue is the SAME THING that hurt the turn around of Oldsmobile from old persons car to young, hip, euro intender. Funny how several years after the demise of Olds I know several late 20s/early 30s people that drive Auroras, and myself, an Intrigue. GM needs to stick with it this time and see it through.

And how do you do all of the above? You do it with advertising - which Saturn suspiciously lacks. I have yet to see a corporate Saturn commercial. We have a local Saturn dealer who cobbled together the typically lame $200.00 commercial. It was pathetic. I live in Portland, Oregon - a place which prides itself on being a little different. Saturn and Portland are a perfect fit, yet still no corporate advertising: No ads in the paper, no television commercials, no radio ads. Nada.

The Aura and Vue should be selling double their numbers, and GM has no one to blame but their own marketing division. The "lack of stores" argument is bunk, as you see brand new Hondas being driven in the remote parts of Oregon where there's no Honda store for a 150 miles.

In terms of sales numbers, the Aura and Vue are indeed flops. Duds. But its not for lack of quality and design.

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

TOTAL TOYOTA...... 224,399. 228,322 -1.7 2,620,825 2,542,524 2.7

*********

So..... how would all our Resident Saturn Pessimists interpret Toyotas numbers ?

They have the same number of models as last year but have sales up 2.7% for the year. Saturn had twice as many models but had sales only go up by 6.1%. So, per model sold, Toyota's sales went up by 2.7%, while Saturn's went down 47%.

[5 watt]

The questions going forward is GM going to continue to cut daily rental sales in 08 and can GM see significant gains from the CTS/Malibu/Enclave? GM is holding back both the CTS and Enclave. Can the Malibu sell 20K, 25K, 30K a month like the competition?

[Butz]

The sales aren't bad, enough with the doom and gloom. The whole market is down, what did you expect?

[E. Haskell]

COROLLA 28,582 29,378 -2.7 371,390 387,388 -4.4

CAMRY ...38,831 39,539 -1.8 473,108 448,445.. 5.2

These two vehicles make up 32.5% of ToMoCo's sales. GM needs to cut into that.

[bone]

Originally Posted by suckstobeyou

something funny just struck me, the SRX is up for the month and the year! MCE did it good

I hope the improved SRX sales will convince Cadillac to continue upgrading what is my favourite G.M. vehicle. I am also pleased to see increased sales of the HHR,even before the SS model arrives. Again, give this vehicle continual up-grades and it will be a consistent sales success.

[boydrive]

How is 8,328 sales of the VUE a dud, sales are up over 36% from last Dec???? Am I missing something???? By the way there is a 2008 VUE XR in my garage and the SUV is a delight to own. We get so many compliments on it!!!!

[atomicshark]

Here is my take on Saturn.

I've been thinking about why Saturn in having such a tough time now and it comes down to a couple of things.

Damaged reputation from just at or below average cars for at least the past ten years and the lack of dealerships/advertising. I keep harping on it but how can people cross shop Saturns with the big guys (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Chevrolet) when the dealer network is so weak?

I also noticed that when I look in the newspaper I barely ever see any Saturn ads. A couple of weeks ago my local dealer put in a 1/4 page ad that just had their logo, address and number on it, no deals, no cars. What a waste.

When I brought in our Vue for its first oil change I was depressed to see such a strong lineup of cars in the showroom with barely any customers. The showroom had a silver Sky Turbo, V6 Vue, loaded Outlook, Aura Hybrid and Aura XR. All solid, above average and very good looking. My salesperson verified my observations by telling me December had been a rough month for them. What is even worse was that back when I bought our Vue he told me things were slow then too. Very sad and also troubling if they decide to shut the doors on that dealership.

Unfortunately there is a history of shuttered Saturn dealerships on Long Island. I guess you can add that as another reason for Saturn not as well as it should in my area. Who wouldn't shy away from a dealer that may shut its doors at any moment?

[E. Haskell]

Daily rental sales were reduced 108,000 vehicles; GM was at its lowest level of daily rental sales in 9 years (about 596,000 vehicles), while significantly boosting content and resale value. Commercial/government fleet sales were up about 5,000 vehicles

Total vehicles sold:

2006 = 4,124,645
2007 = 3,866,620

If you consider the affect of a 108,000 reduction in rental cars (a good thing), GM was actually down about 3.7% for the year. That doesn't seem too bad considering the auto market is down and they're still in the process of a turnaround.

[Sphinx002]

Another misleading ignorant post by a "doom and gloom poster" Geotpf

"They only sold more because they had more to sell." - First Fib

Production of the older models was cut (L and Ion) and the Vue sales remained flat, although seem to be improving now that the new Vue is actually out there in showrooms and receiving great reviews.

The didn't have more to sell. The sky is limited production and the Aura is more expensive and bigger than the outgoing L. The outlook even more so. Their best selling small car production was stopped without anything to replace it. Gee that isn't having more to sell. What you meant to say was more models. What you neglected to say was that there were less lower cost, higher selling models to sell - Ion production stopped and no 4 cyl Aura.

"The Sky, Aura, and Outlook were new models that replaced nothing." Second fib

The Aura replaced the L.

"their sales should have gone up 100% instead of 6.1%." Outrageous claim.

How can sales go up 100% when the mass market leaders weren't there to sell? No Ion at mid year and no low cost Aura. Please step away from the wacky weed.


"And the near-term future looks worse." Second outrageous claim.

How so? They now have lower cost Aura for sales which means at least stable sales for that model. They have the Astra starting sales this year to replace the outgoing Ion sales. Vue sales should see an increase and it looks like the Outlook sales are stable as well. It seems Saturn should at least do as well as they did last year with a bright future out there for 2009 and beyond.

"Other than the Astra, they have no new product for several years." First misleading statement

So what? Now they work on getting word out there about what there is to sell. This isn't going to work against them at all. Also they'll expand the offerings of each model. Two mode hybrid Vue coming as well as a plug in. Interior refresh on the Aura. Possibly more engine choices for the Astra. You know....what most manufactures do. Make their current models better.

"So Aura's pathetic sub-60k yearly sales is probably it's peak-next year will be worse, probably much worse." Third outrageous claim.

Based on what? What orifice did you pull that out of?

" Same for the Outlook's sub-35k yearly sales." Fourth outrageous claim.

Another orifice maybe? How many do you have?

"Their 2008 calendar year sales will easily be less than their 2006 sales (probably much less), even though they have more models." And the best for last.

Thanks Nostradamus. Given your propensity for playing fast and loose with facts and the truth, I'll pass on buying your book.


For the REAL RECORD. Saturn outsold the following companies in the US.

Aucra - 180,104

Audi - 93,506

Infinity - 127,038

Mercury 168,422

Mini 42,045

Subaru 187,208

Volkswagen 230,572

And a few other smaller guys. I think they are doing just fine for just one division of a much larger company that just recently got their heads out of their rear.

[starlightmica]

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

.......----- CURRENT MONTH -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
.................DSR % DSR %
.................2007 2006 CHG ..2007.... 2006.... CHG

YARIS ......5,477 6,226 -12.0 84,799 70,308... 20.2
COROLLA 28,582 29,378 -2.7 371,390 387,388 -4.4
CAMRY ...38,831 39,539 -1.8 473,108 448,445.. 5.2
AVALON... 5,694 7,955 -28.4 . 72,945.. 88,938 -18.2
PRIUS ....14,212 9,291... 53.0. 181,221 106,971. 68.9
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV.
PASS. CAR 101,74 1 102,717 -1.0..... 1,313,651 1,275,119 2.7
*******

SIENNA........ 12,350 16,090 -23.2 138,162 163,269 -15.7
RAV4........ ...13,816 13,784... 0.2. 172,752 152,047. 13.2
HIGHLANDER. 14,714 11,700.. 25.8 127,878.. 129,794 -1.8
TOTAL SUV.. 43,245 43,955 -1.6 470,042 478,843 -2.2
*******

TOTAL TOYOTA
LIGHT TRUCK.......... 102,818 104,692 -1.8 1,106,840 1,084,368 1.7
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. 189,844 191,087 -0.7 2,291,648 2,220,090 2.9
*********

So..... how would all our Resident Saturn Pessimists interpret Toyotas numbers ?

There, FTFY. Prius alone outsold all Saturn cars in 2007.

Aura sales are below the L-series peak of >100k, having sold <60K last year with 12/07 sales worse than 12/06. Astra 1st year sales will be at best less than 2007 Ion sales of 47K. Outlook sales made up the difference at 34K.

All in all, not looking good for car sales which were already down 8.7 percent c/w 2006, we'll see if Saturn SUV's hold their own in 2008.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

They have the same number of models as last year but have sales up 2.7% for the year. Saturn had twice as many models but had sales only go up by 6.1%. So, per model sold, Toyota's sales went up by 2.7%, while Saturn's went down 47%.

DO NOT QUITE YOUR DAY JOB .

This is a worse than absolutely useless observation - doubly so when taken out of context .

The begging to be made comparison is Scion vs Saturn . Take a look - do something creative like a little arithmetic for Scion (and hybrids outside of Prius) - the kind Toyota won't do for you . Also , break out CUV sales from the idiotic Toyota presentation of combining SUVs and CUVs sales numbers - so you can't see as easily where they hit the wall .

BTW , You are aware Toyota uses 65 physical product lines in Japan as opposed to 16 here - why don't you measure that dumbass ratio of yours on those numbers in their much smaller and stagnant market ?

Done ?

Good (using your 'logic') now go tell Toyota about your findings and how they should just stop selling cars in Japan .

I am reminded of a quote from long ago when reading your post .

It goes something like this ;

'He uses 'statistics' like a drunk uses a lamppost ; for support rather than illumination' .