General Motors Sales - April 2010

[Drew Dowdell]

DETROIT – A combined retail sales increase of 33 percent for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac propelled total sales for GM's four brands in the U.S. to 183,091 during the month. This represents a 20-percent increase from a year ago. For the calendar year-to-date, combined total sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac are up 31 percent.

The continued year-over-year sales increases are largely being driven by the company's launch products, which now represent one of every four GM vehicles sold at retail. Year-to-date, combined sales of the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Equinox, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX are up nearly 300 percent, at 110,176, compared to the vehicles they replaced.

"Clearly, our launch vehicles are hitting the mark with consumers who are looking for bold styling, quality, safety and fuel efficiency," said Steve Carlisle, vice president of U.S. Sales Operations. "But our results aren't limited to just our newest vehicles. Sales of our full-size pickups and our mid-sized crossovers continue to strengthen."

Retail sales of GM's full-size pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche and GMC Sierra were up a combined 20 percent in April, and are up 8 percent year-to-date. Retail sales of GM's mid-sized crossovers – the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia – increased 26 percent in April and are 15 percent higher year-to-date.

"The good news is that we have more on the way, including the all-new Buick Regal this spring and the Chevrolet Cruze in the third quarter," added Carlisle.

Chevrolet dealers reported sales of 135,369 – 17 percent higher than April, 2009. Retail sales for the brand were 32 percent higher for the month. Retail sales of the Chevrolet Malibu surged 38 percent for the month – the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. The Chevrolet Silverado, Equinox, Traverse and Camaro all posted year-over-year retail sales increases of 20 percent or more (read more).

Buick sales rose 36 percent for the month to 12,181 – the seventh consecutive month of double digit year-over-year sales increases. Retail sales for Buick rose 42 percent during April. Buick LaCrosse had its best retail month since 2005, with an increase of 237 percent for the month. Year-to-date sales of the LaCrosse have increased 154 percent, with 42 percent of sales coming from consumers who replaced a non-GM vehicle (read more).

GMC sales of 24,224 were 18 percent higher than last year, while retail sales for the brand were up 37 percent. Sales were led by retail sales of the GMC Terrain, which were up 537 percent for the month versus the vehicle it replaced. For the year, sales of the Terrain are up 313 percent. The Terrain continues to attract new customers to the brand, where 46 percent of buyers are trading in a non-GM make (read more).

Cadillac sales increased 36 percent to 11,317, while retail sales improved 31 percent for the month. April retail sales of the SRX were 504 percent higher than a year ago, and are up 405 percent for the year. The SRX continues to bring new customers to the Cadillac brand. Year-to-date, 49 percent of SRX buyers traded in a competitive brand (read more).

Month-end dealer inventory in the U.S. stood at about 430,000 units, which is about 3,000 higher compared to March 2010, and about 311,000 lower than April 2009.

April Key Facts:

• Chevrolet: total sales up 17 percent compared to a year ago; retail sales up 32 percent; Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 276 percent; Camaro retail sales continued to set the pace for the sport segment with 7,830 deliveries; Chevrolet Traverse retail sales were up 30 percent for the month, and are up 10 percent for the year; Silverado retail sales were up 23 percent, the second consecutive month with a retail sales increase of 20 percent or more.
• Buick: total sales up 36 percent; retail sales up 42 percent; Buick LaCrosse retail sales rose 237 percent and are up 154 percent for the year; Buick Enclave retail sales rose 29 percent in April and are up 11 percent for the year.
• GMC: total sales up 18 percent; retail sales up 37 percent; GMC Terrain retail sales were up 537 percent for the month and 313 percent for the year; GMC Acadia retail sales increased 20 percent for the month and are up 26 percent year-to-date
• Cadillac: total sales up 36 percent; retail sales up 31 percent; Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 504 percent for the month and 405 percent for the year; Cadillac CTS had its best month of the year, with retail sales up 9 percent vs. March.
• Fleet sales for GM's four brands were 58,000 for the month, down 2 percent vs. the prior year.
• Crossovers for GM's four brands doubled sales in April compared to last year.
• Combined Total and Retail sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have increased year-over-year for seven straight months.

[cavalier36]

of course sales of Chevrolet, buick, gmc and cadillac sales are up. probably mostly due to the loss of Pontiac and Saturn.

[siegen]

This is very deceptive. GM should report total sales, not just their four current brands.

April 2009: 173,007

April 2010: 183,997

A 6.4% increase, which is not bad.

Looks like GM is finally back on the upswing.

[Robert Hall]

This is very deceptive. GM should report total sales, not just their four current brands.

Since the other 4 brands are now gone, it would be a moot point to report them.

[siegen]

Since the other 4 brands are now gone, it would be a moot point to report them.

It's not just for the fact that they're still selling those models (which accounted for something like 900 of the sales this month), but that you need to include them for a full year following the last sale in order to have accurate percentages to compare to.

[FAPTurbo]

Strange. GM Canada reports their non 'core brand' sales, despite the fact that they make their market share and figures look terrible. :/

[RjION]

How many of those are out the door sales ............. not counting fleet sales