Feb. 2006 Sales: General Motors

[Derek77]

New GM Models Post Strong February Sales, Retail Sales Up 1 Percent

Overall Sales Decline 2.5 Percent Compared to Year-Ago Level

All-New Chevy Tahoe Sales Double From January; HUMMER Hits Sales Record for 10th Month

Launch Vehicle Retail Sales Up 32 Percent Over January

DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the United States in February posted a retail sales improvement of 1 percent. Total deliveries were 301,545 new cars and trucks, down 2.5 percent compared to the same month a year ago. Total car sales were down 13 percent, and truck sales were up 5 percent. Calendar year sales are up 1.4 percent.

"Consumer response to our new vehicles and segment-leading value resulted in solid sales results in February," said Mark LaNeve, General Motors North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our retail sales improvement in February was driven by our industry-leading value, not by fleet sales or high incentives. This resulted in better retail sales performance by six of our divisions."

Chevrolet, Cadillac, Pontiac, Buick, HUMMER and Saab all posted retail sales gains compared to year-ago levels. Three divisions achieved overall sales improvements in February. HUMMER was up 202.5 percent, driven by continued strong sales of the H3. Saab total deliveries rose 9.5 percent, and calendar year sales are up 19 percent. Buick's total sales also improved over last year and were up 1.7 percent, bolstered by strong Lucerne sales.

Recently introduced vehicles played an important part in GM's February sales results. Total utility deliveries were up 25 percent compared to last year. Sales of the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe (6,391) were double last month's level. Total Tahoe deliveries were up 47 percent compared to last year. The 2007 GMC Yukon posted its first deliveries in February (1,452), as did the new Cadillac Escalade (1,461).

"It's still early, but we're exceeding all of the important targets for our new full-size SUVs, particularly the Tahoe, which is the first one to arrive in dealerships," LaNeve said. "The new 2007 GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade are just now arriving in dealerships and are off to a very strong start."

LaNeve added that dealers are excited to have the new generation of full-size sport utility vehicles on their sales floor. "Dealers tell us they can't keep them on the lot, with vehicles staying in inventory less than a week on average," he said.

Other new utilities that posted strong February results included Torrent, Pontiac's new compact sport utility, which achieved its second best sales to-date with 3,946 deliveries, up 33 percent compared to January. Saturn VUE continued its solid sales streak, with its ninth consecutive month of sales improvements (+43.5 percent compared to year-ago levels).

February was another record-setting month for HUMMER. It posted year-over-year record sales for the tenth consecutive month, and its aggregate deliveries since 2002, when it began selling the H2, surpassed 150,000 units.

On the car side, a number of new GM vehicles also had solid sales in February. Buick Lucerne deliveries have improved every month since launch, with February sales 20 percent greater than January levels. Lucerne retail deliveries in February were over twice the level of year-ago LeSabre retail sales.

Customer demand for the Pontiac Solstice remains very brisk. In February it posted among the highest total turn rates of all vehicles in the industry (39 percent).

For the sixth consecutive month, Pontiac G6 sales exceeded year-ago levels both in total and retail deliveries. Total G6 sales in February were up 38 percent. These improvements were achieved prior to the introduction of the new G6 hardtop convertible scheduled to arrive in Pontiac dealerships this spring.

Certified Used Vehicles

February sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Used Cars from Saturn, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 40,474 units, down 10.6 percent from last February. Total year-to-date certified GM sales are 80,001 units, down 6 percent from the same period last year.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted 35,461 sales, down nearly 9 percent from last February, but up 3 percent from January 2006. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 69,954 units, down 4.5 percent from the same period in 2005.

Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted 3,097 sales in February, down nearly 2 percent from last year. Used Cars from Saturn sold 1,412 units, down 47 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 504 units, down 2.5 percent. In its second month of operation, HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned sold 36 units.

"While February was a challenging month for all certified GM brands, GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling certified brand, increased sales by 3 percent from January and continues to set the pace for all manufacturers in the category," LaNeve said.

GM North America Reports February Production; 2006 First-Quarter Production Forecast Remains Unchanged; 2006 Second-Quarter Production Forecast Set at 1.2 Million Vehicles

In February, GM North America produced 407,000 vehicles (155,000 cars and 252,000 trucks). This is down 23,000 units, or 5 percent, compared to February 2005, when the region produced 430,000 vehicles (167,000 cars and 263,000 trucks). Production totals include joint venture production of 26,000 vehicles in February 2006 and 23,000 vehicles in February 2005.

The region's 2006 first-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.25 million vehicles (505,000 cars and 745,000 trucks). In the first quarter of 2005, the region produced 1.182 million vehicles (470,000 cars and 712,000 trucks). The region's initial 2006 second-quarter production forecast is set at 1.2 million vehicles (445,000 cars and 755,000 trucks), down 3.7 percent from second quarter 2005 actuals.

GM also announced 2006 revised first-quarter and initial second-quarter production forecasts for its international regions.

GM Europe - GM Europe's 2006 first-quarter production estimate remains unchanged at 497,000 vehicles. In the first quarter of 2005, the region built 502,000 vehicles. The region's initial 2006 second-quarter production forecast is set at 490,000 vehicles. In the second quarter of 2005, the region built 501,000 vehicles.

GM Asia Pacific - GM Asia Pacific's revised 2006 first-quarter production estimate is 470,000 vehicles, up 59,000 units from last month's guidance. In the first quarter of 2005, the region built 335,000 vehicles. Additionally, the region's initial 2006 second-quarter production forecast is set at 480,000 vehicles. In the second quarter of 2005, the region built 398,000 vehicles.

GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - The region's revised 2006 first-quarter production estimate is 193,000 vehicles, down 8,000 units from last month's guidance. In the first quarter of 2005, the region built 185,000 vehicles. The region's initial 2006 second-quarter production forecast is set at 215,000 vehicles. In the second quarter of 2005, the region built 195,000 vehicles.

[Newbiewar]

i dont get it... if everything seems to be up... why is it down... let me look at the sales ticker on GM.com...

Edit: Okay I see... the only reason sales are down is GMC is down 10% and they've been out of Yukons for a while, and Yukon XL (at least at our Chevy store we dont have a single suburban and its on of our best sellers and we only have like 12 '06 tahoes left... when production stopped, we had about 250 to give you an idea of the selection we try to keep on hand. we still arent satisfied with our 07 unit count of about 100 vehicles) so I can see the Escalade is down, and GMC is down... Cobalt is up, HHR is going to hit its target if sales keep up 100k units...

Edited March 1, 2006 by Newbiewar

[Matt276]

The Colorado is a flop. The dated Ranger outsold it. No V-6 choice was a huge mistake.

[Newbiewar]

The Colorado is a flop. The dated Ranger outsold it. No V-6 choice was a huge mistake.

its too expensive... heck a single cab starts more expensive then a you can get a silverado base? whats the point?

[Northstar]

It's good that retail sales were up (if only 1%). This Feburary was probably more profitable (or at least less unprofitable) than last.

Some high points:

Lucerne at 7300 units outsold the Avalon.

The new Escalade sounds like it's off to a great start, as well as the Yukon.

HHR at almost 8k units in a relatively slow month. It should be above 10k in the summer months and be close to 100k/year.

Torrent is doing okay, but it seems to just be stealing Equinox buyers.

[I hope GMRULES again]

I was hoping sales we be up, even slighty so they could build some momentum but again the headlines will read GM sales down again...yada yada yada....

[Snate]

I was hoping sales we be up, even slighty so they could build some momentum but again the headlines will read GM sales down again...yada yada yada....

Even if overall sales were up, you just know the "fleet sales" people would chime in.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

"Consumer response to our new vehicles and segment-leading value resulted in solid sales results in February," said Mark LaNeve, General Motors North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our retail sales improvement in February was driven by our industry-leading value, not by fleet sales or high incentives. This resulted in better retail sales performance by six of our divisions."

EXCELLENT!

Chevrolet, Cadillac, Pontiac, Buick, HUMMER and Saab all posted retail sales gains compared to year-ago levels.

Nice to see the 2 'damaged brands' in there and I wonder how much the new Impala is helping GM reduce fleet sales.

So basically Saturn and GMC brought the numbers down... GMC's numbers are NO DOUBT a product of the new Yukon launching. As for Saturn, well, at least they have lots of new product coming.

Three divisions achieved overall sales improvements in February. HUMMER was up 202.5 percent, driven by continued strong sales of the H3. Saab total deliveries rose 9.5 percent, and calendar year sales are up 19 percent.

Interesting... The two divisions that EVERYONE wants GM to rid itself of.

Buick's total sales also improved over last year and were up 1.7 percent, bolstered by strong Lucerne sales.

Once again, this is what happens when GM actually stops STARVING a 'damaged brand' of good, image changing product.

Recently introduced vehicles played an important part in GM's February sales results. Total utility deliveries were up 25 percent compared to last year. Sales of the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe (6,391) were double last month's level. Total Tahoe deliveries were up 47 percent compared to last year. The 2007 GMC Yukon posted its first deliveries in February (1,452), as did the new Cadillac Escalade (1,461).

"It's still early, but we're exceeding all of the important targets for our new full-size SUVs, particularly the Tahoe, which is the first one to arrive in dealerships," LaNeve said. "The new 2007 GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade are just now arriving in dealerships and are off to a very strong start."

LaNeve added that dealers are excited to have the new generation of full-size sport utility vehicles on their sales floor. "Dealers tell us they can't keep them on the lot, with vehicles staying in inventory less than a week on average," he said.

Good news!!!! GM definately shouldn't have introduced those GMT900s right now (much sarcasm implied)

Other new utilities that posted strong February results included Torrent, Pontiac's new compact sport utility, which achieved its second best sales to-date with 3,946 deliveries, up 33 percent compared to January.

The Torrent is doing EXACTLY what it was supposed to do... Giving Pontiac VOLUME.

Saturn VUE continued its solid sales streak, with its ninth consecutive month of sales improvements (+43.5 percent compared to year-ago levels).

Seems that the Vue has ALWAYS been a hit!

On the car side, a number of new GM vehicles also had solid sales in February. Buick Lucerne deliveries have improved every month since launch, with February sales 20 percent greater than January levels. Lucerne retail deliveries in February were over twice the level of year-ago LeSabre retail sales.

NICE, between Lucerne and Lacrosse Buick seems to be gaining more and more retail steam.

Customer demand for the Pontiac Solstice remains very brisk. In February it posted among the highest total turn rates of all vehicles in the industry (39 percent).

Not sure what that means.

For the sixth consecutive month, Pontiac G6 sales exceeded year-ago levels both in total and retail deliveries. Total G6 sales in February were up 38 percent. These improvements were achieved prior to the introduction of the new G6 hardtop convertible scheduled to arrive in Pontiac dealerships this spring.

Yep, that G6 was such a failure..LOL... I'm in a college town and I see more G6's than Cobalts... This thing has SERIOUS potential if GM would just fix the details.

The Colorado needs a quick fix, much like the H3. Better motor and value pricing..... Great to hear about the Lucerne!

***On a slightly related note, a friend of mine has a VW passat (Newer one) and is finally tired of the bad quality. She said she's going to get a Pilot begrudgingly because she can't afford an Equinox... She said that's what she really wants and she could've afforded it during the employee discounts, but not now. And this girl is the type of person that it seems would NEVER consider a domestic.

(I always thought the Pilot was more but whatever)

[I hope GMRULES again]

"The Torrent is doing EXACTLY what it was supposed to do... Giving Pontiac VOLUME."

Its also taking sales from the Nox.

Your right the Pilot costs a lot more than a Equinox.

[sciguy_0504]

Even if overall sales were up, you just know the "fleet sales" people would chime in.

How are overall sales up? I see "overall sales down 2.5% compared to year-ago level."

The thing that somewhat irritates me is that car sales are down and truck sales are up. Obviously the new trucks are selling, which is a good thing, do not get me wrong, but I was of the impression that not all of GM's eggs are going to be in the same basket, yet again. I guess it is not that bad considering what it was like years ago when gas was cheaper. Hurricane season starts in just 3 short months and the Iran problem is far from being sorted out.

[Drew Dowdell]

How are overall sales up?  I see "overall sales down 2.5% compared to year-ago level."

The thing that somewhat irritates me is that car sales are down and truck sales are up.  Obviously the new trucks are selling, which is a good thing, do not get me wrong, but I was of the impression that not all of GM's eggs are going to be in the same basket, yet again.  I guess it is not that bad considering what it was like years ago when gas was cheaper.  Hurricane season starts in just 3 short months and the Iran problem is far from being sorted out.

Only 2.5% down during a major series of most popular model change overs while also increasing actual retail sales and descreasing fleet sales....

uh... what's bad there?

[Northstar]

How are overall sales up?  I see "overall sales down 2.5% compared to year-ago level."

The thing that somewhat irritates me is that car sales are down and truck sales are up.  Obviously the new trucks are selling, which is a good thing, do not get me wrong, but I was of the impression that not all of GM's eggs are going to be in the same basket, yet again.  I guess it is not that bad considering what it was like years ago when gas was cheaper.  Hurricane season starts in just 3 short months and the Iran problem is far from being sorted out.

He didn't say they were up. He said "even if they were up."

GM's wave of cars is basically over for a while. We have the Aura and next CTS coming, along with the Saturn Astra/ION in there somewhere, but for the most part GM's going to have a lot of truck intros and not to many car intros until the Epsilon IIs and Zetas come.

[Chicagoland]

Well, the Torrent is doing better than expected. And i actaully know somone insterested in one, and he would not look at the Nox. [at Auto Show].

People were mad that it didn't fit Pontiac's 'muscle car' image. But back in Pontiac's 'hey day', maybe 5+ Catalina Station Wagons and 4 doors sold for every one GTO.

[Flybrian]

People were mad that it didn't fit Pontiac's 'muscle car' image. But back in Pontiac's 'hey day', maybe 5+ Catalina Station Wagons and 4 doors sold for every one GTO.

There are some really irritated by its presence; I'm not. I'm just irritated that its a styling and slight equipment upgrade from an Equinox instead of also having a more powerful drivetrain combo as befitting a Pontiac. But the person you know is a good example of why there is a need.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Only 2.5% down during a major series of most popular model change overs while also increasing actual retail sales and descreasing fleet sales....

uh... what's bad there?

According to the media...EVERYTHING!!!!

Overall sales are down, they're too STUPID to look past that.

[CARBIZ]

I don't think the absence of a V-6 hurts the Colorado as much as its boring appearance. Look objectively at the Dakota - it is a much better looking truck. The Colorado is a step up from the S-10, but it should have been a leap!

This is GM's problem across the board. THe Tahoe is a leap ahead of the competition. The Solstice certainly has character and feels bigger than the MX-5. The HHR is different enough from the PT is you really look at it and drive it. The Impala tells an incredible value story. The Malibu and Cobalt are going to get left behind. The Civic is a very nice car. It is what the Cobalt (or at least the Pursuit!) should have been.

I don't blame GM for focusing on trucks - it is where the money is and their strengths are. Lutz has done a decent job upgrading the cars in general, but I hope the renewed profits from the trucks this year will be plowed back into the next generation of new cars - not into buying off the UAW and Delphi!!!

[bowtie_dude]

I don't think the absence of a V-6 hurts the Colorado as much as its boring appearance.  Look objectively at the Dakota - it is a much better looking truck.  The Colorado is a step up from the S-10, but it should have been a leap!

  This is GM's problem across the board.  THe Tahoe is a leap ahead of the competition.  The Solstice certainly has character and feels bigger than the MX-5.  The HHR is different enough from the PT is you really look at it and drive it.  The Impala tells an incredible value story.  The Malibu and Cobalt are going to get left behind.  The Civic is a very nice car.  It is what the Cobalt (or at least the Pursuit!) should have been.

  I don't blame GM for focusing on trucks - it is where the money is and their strengths are.  Lutz has done a decent job upgrading the cars in general, but I hope the renewed profits from the trucks this year will be plowed back into the next generation of new cars - not into buying off the UAW and Delphi!!!

Colorado's two big, and really only, issues are the atrocious interior and the lack of a 250+ hp powertrain option. V6, I6, V8, whatever. Just put SOMETHING with power about the I5. That new 300hp 5.3L V8 in the Impala SS would be VERY nice.

[sciguy_0504]

Only 2.5% down during a major series of most popular model change overs while also increasing actual retail sales and descreasing fleet sales....

uh... what's bad there?

Even though retail sales were up 1%, I guess you could give it to GM. Considering how many cars have gone to fleets in the past, dealers must have sold a lot of cars for that increase.

[carlover23]

EXCELLENT!

Nice to see the 2 'damaged brands' in there and I wonder how much the new Impala is helping GM reduce fleet sales.

So basically Saturn and GMC brought the numbers down... GMC's numbers are NO DOUBT a product of the new Yukon launching. As for Saturn, well, at least they have lots of new product coming.

Interesting... The two divisions that EVERYONE wants GM to rid itself of.

Once again, this is what happens when GM actually stops STARVING a 'damaged brand' of good, image changing product.

Good news!!!! GM definately shouldn't have introduced those GMT900s right now (much sarcasm implied)

The Torrent is doing EXACTLY what it was supposed to do... Giving Pontiac VOLUME.

Seems that the Vue has ALWAYS been a hit!

NICE, between Lucerne and Lacrosse Buick seems to be gaining more and more retail steam.

Not sure what that means.

Yep, that G6 was such a failure..LOL... I'm in a college town and I see more G6's than Cobalts... This thing has SERIOUS potential if GM would just fix the details.

The Colorado needs a quick fix, much like the H3. Better motor and value pricing..... Great to hear about the Lucerne!

***On a slightly related note, a friend of mine has a VW passat (Newer one) and is finally tired of the bad quality. She said she's going to get a Pilot begrudgingly because she can't afford an Equinox... She said that's what she really wants and she could've afforded it during the employee discounts, but not now. And this girl is the type of person that it seems would NEVER consider a domestic.

(I always thought the Pilot was more but whatever)

sure she's not getting it confused with the CRV or is she talking about a used one? Edited March 3, 2006 by carlover23

[turbo200]

said Mark LaNeve, General Motors North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our retail sales improvement in February was driven by our industry-leading value, not by fleet sales or high incentives.

think Laneve reads C&G? all the talk about inflated sales due to fleets here, and now he's making it clear the retail side showed improvements...

[Matt276]

I had bad news this weekend. Two sales rep from different GM dealers told me that sales are really bad where I live. Customers are not interested anymore with American products. There is no longer trust.

The new products are not competitive enough. Even Koreans offer better products than GM-Ford-DCX.

[ocnblu]

Sales people at most dealerships are hoppers, they have no loyalty to brand. I wouldn't listen to a word.

[Matt276]

Sales people at most dealerships are hoppers, they have no loyalty to brand.  I wouldn't listen to a word.

Yeah, but numbers don't lie, in Canada and probably in the US, Toyota is now close to number one in retail sales.