GOOD NEWS: Camaro smashes sales forecasts.

[FenwickHockey65]

GM Gains Share For The Second Consecutive Month With 191,875 Deliveries in May; Highest Monthly Sales Performance So Far in 2009

•May results clearly reflect consumer confidence in GM’s long-term viability
•May was the third consecutive month of monthly sales increases led by core brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac which were up 18 percent collectively compared with April
•5,500 total Camaro sales smashes sales forecast as dealers sell cars as soon as they arrive
•Award-winning crossovers Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Chevrolet Traverse sales push mid-utility crossover retail sales up 15 percent compared with April

DETROIT – General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 191,875 vehicles in May, down 29.6 percent compared with a year ago. However, when comparing GM’s May sales with April, total volume was up 11 percent, or about 19,000 cars, crossovers and trucks resulting in the best monthly sales performance so far in 2009.

“We were able to record our best monthly sales result of the year in May as we are seeing more positive signs in housing and consumer confidence in the market,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “Those signs, along with more clarity on the New GM, are providing some additional consumer confidence. With GM’s reinvention, the company has cleared a path for future success supported by world-class products such as the new Chevy Camaro, Equinox, Traverse and Malibu. We have compelling new offers in the marketplace, including reduced-rate financing available through GMAC, that encourage our customers to visit a showroom and buy today.”

GM total truck sales (including crossovers) of 110,866 were down 22 percent, and car sales of 81,009 were off 38 percent compared with a year ago.

When compared with April’s performance, there were several product highlights in GM’s core brands to note:

•Chevrolet car retail sales were up 28 percent driven by Camaro, Malibu, Cobalt, Corvette and Aveo. Silverado, Colorado, HHR, Equinox, Tahoe and Traverse also saw retail sales increases with Chevrolet retail truck sales up 30 percent. Total Chevrolet vehicle retail sales increased 22 percent
•Buick Enclave retail sales increased 17 percent. LaCrosse retail sales climbed 24 percent as Buick retail sales increased 4 percent
•Cadillac Escalade retail sales increased nearly 14 percent, and DTS sales climbed 3 percent
•GMC retail sales were up 17 percent. Retail sales increases of 30 percent for Sierra, 17 percent for Canyon, 13 percent for Yukon and 8 percent for Acadia were reported

“What was lost in all the financial turmoil is that our outstanding products continue to compete strongly in the market and Camaro is a red-hot example,” LaNeve said. “We sold 5,500 Camaros in May without any incentives, and are continuing to deliver them to customers as fast as we possibly can. We are dominating the full-size pickup segment with Silverado and Sierra, as well as offering the best selection of crossovers with Traverse, Acadia, Outlook and Enclave. Importantly, Traverse was just recognized by a leading consumer publication as getting a “Very Good” rating in its most recent ranking of crossovers with third-row seating. Less than a year after initial launch, Traverse is now neck-and-neck in sales with our foreign competition.

“The President’s comments yesterday were very positive and we are deeply appreciative of the support of our company,” LaNeve added. “The President again restated our shared belief that GM will be a part of a strong and viable auto industry for many years to come, and customers should feel very comfortable buying our outstanding cars, crossovers and trucks.”

A total of 1,739 GM hybrid vehicles were delivered in the month, illustrating the wide range of hybrid product offerings available. GM offers the Chevrolet Malibu, Tahoe and Silverado, GMC Yukon and Sierra, Cadillac Escalade, Saturn Aura and Vue hybrids. So far, in 2009, GM has delivered 6,895 hybrid vehicles.

GM inventories dropped compared with a year ago, and were at their second-lowest monthly level on record. At the end of May, about 674,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 98,000 vehicles (or 13 percent) compared with last year. There were about 284,000 cars and 390,000 trucks (including crossovers) in inventory at the end of May. Inventories were reduced about 67,000 vehicles compared with April and are down approximately 16 percent compared with January.

GM Certified Sales

GM Certified Used Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, combined sold 33,633 vehicles.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling certified brand, posted May sales of 28,802 vehicles, down 28 percent from May 2008. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,103 vehicles, down 23 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 488 vehicles, down 42 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,018 vehicles, down 18 percent. One brand showed an uptick: HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 222 vehicles, up 16 percent.

"We are more optimistic about the market as GM enters this new chapter," said LaNeve. "Our Certified Used and Pre-Owned vehicle programs fall in line with the new GM as we offer the best peace of mind experience for customers when purchasing a used vehicle. We will honor our warranty commitment given at the time of purchase to owners of current and future General Motors Certified Used and Pre-Owned Vehicles, such as the 12-month/12,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty for Certified Used and Pre-Owned vehicles, and focus on the customers' needs from their sales to service experience. Going forward, we and our dealers will offer the consumer nothing less than the best cars and trucks --- both new and Certified Used and Pre-Owned vehicles.”

GM North America reports May 2009 production; Q2 2009 production forecast remains at 390,000 vehicles

In May, GM North America produced 134,000 vehicles (58,000 cars and 76,000 trucks). This is down 114,000 vehicles or 46 percent compared with May 2008 when the region produced 248,000 vehicles (118,000 cars and 130,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 8,000 vehicles in May 2009 and 17,000 vehicles in May 2008.)

The region’s 2009 second-quarter production forecast remains at 390,000 vehicles (172,000 cars and 218,000 trucks), which is down about 53 percent compared with a year ago. GM North America built 834,000 vehicles (382,000 cars and 452,000 trucks) in the second quarter of 2008.

Link with Sales Chart

[FenwickHockey65]

The competition...

Ford: Down 24%, 155,954 units sold
Toyota: Down 40.7%, 152,583 units sold
Honda: Down 41.5%, 98,344 units sold
Chrysler: Down 46.9%, 79,010 units sold
Nissan: Down 33.1%, 67,489 units sold
Hyundai: Down 20.4%, 36,937 units sold
BMW: Down 27.7%, 22,993 units sold

Updated as results come in...

[CamaroScotty]

We were WELL over our goal here!

[FenwickHockey65]

6,077 Camaros sold to date.

TOYOTA SALES DOWN 38.4%, 152,583 UNITS SOLD. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

[vm1971]

Camaro mentioned several times... "SMASHES sales forecast"
you will also be happy to know that GM and FORD smashed toyota, nissan, etc.

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...=2&docid=54740

[BigRigMike]

And Ford claims the second spot. It is nice to see the top two spots held by US based companies.

[LS3SSRS]

[radz28]

Alright GM! Though I couldn't contribute to Camaro sales, I did pick up a new Chevy, so that's good for now. Let's see how it goes after this latest development. I think they'll be okay.

[GTAHVIT]

Very cool!

Thanks Fen.

[THE EVIL TW1N]

Originally Posted by BigRigMike

And Ford claims the second spot. It is nice to see the top two spots held by US based companies.

I think % down is the more important number to look at.

[GJG]

I am assuming these #'s don't reflect all of us 1100's????

[09'Z28]

Originally Posted by GJG

I am assuming these #'s don't reflect all of us 1100's????

nope just units delivered

[Silverguardrail]

Thanx !

[kdoske]

yeah GM