GM SEPTEMBER 2010 SALES UP 22%, 173,155 UNITS SOLD

[FenwickHockey65]

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac September Sales Rise 22 Percent on Strong Retail Growth
Link to Press Release

October 1, 2010

* Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac retail sales increase 39 percent during month
* Sales and inventory mix reflects quick transition to new model year vehicles
* Company gaining retail market share with retail sales up 15 percent year-to-date
* GM full-size pickup sales rise 62 percent; compact crossovers increase 101 percent

DETROIT – September combined total sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac increased 22 percent to 172,969 units, driven by a combined 39 percent rebound in retail sales compared with last September. Each brand saw retail increases in excess of 21 percent, led by Buick, where retail sales were up 96 percent for the month.

September’s results also reflect an effective and quick model-year transition – a dramatic departure from last year’s changeover. Of GM’s retail sales for the month, 53 percent were new (2011) model year vehicles – almost double last year’s 27 percent. Dealer stock at the end of the month included 75 percent new model vehicles, compared to just 30 percent last year.

“We said our goal for this time of year was to achieve an orderly transition from past model to the new model year, and we’ve achieved that,” said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “This helps us lower our overall selling costs and positions us to come out of the gates quickly during the new model year.”

Year to date through September, GM’s four brands have sold 79,948 more units than were sold with eight brands through September 2009. The company’s brands also have increased retail sales by 15 percent through September, and have gained market share in each of the first nine months this year.

“September’s results are a continuation of positive momentum for our four brands and demonstrate that our plan is working,” Johnson said. “With key products like our heavy-duty pickups, the Buick Regal and the Cadillac CTS Coupe launching now, and expanded capacity for the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain hitting dealer lots, we’re ready to run.”

Increased sales of crossovers and full-size pickups led GM’s gains in September. Sales of the company’s compact crossovers, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, rose 101 percent, while sales of mid-size crossovers, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave increased 36 percent. The Cadillac SRX, remained the fastest growing luxury crossover, with sales up 41 percent during the month. Year-to-date, SRX sales have increased 319 percent. Sales for GM’s full-size pickup trucks, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra rose 62 percent in September.

Month-end dealer inventory in the U.S. stood at about 478,000 units, which is about 26,000 higher compared to August, and about 55,000 higher than September 2009.

September Key Facts and Brand Results:

* Calendar-year-to-date total sales for GM’s four brands are up 23 percent
* Chevrolet: Chevrolet delivered 121,479 total vehicles in September, a 19 percent increase year-over-year. Year-to-date total Chevrolet sales are up 19 percent. Retail sales for Chevrolet rose 34 percent on the strength of Silverado and Equinox sales (read more).
* Buick: Buick reported total sales of 12,875, an increase of 36 percent compared to last year. Driven by continuing strong customer demand for the LaCrosse and Enclave (retail sales up 182 and 89 percent, respectively) and growing demand for the all-new Regal, Buick retail sales were up 96 percent for the month. With total sales up 58 percent this year, Buick remains the fastest growing major auto brand in the U.S. (read more).
* GMC:GMC reported total sales of 25,995, a 42 percent increase in total sales in the month of September, compared to the same month last year. This includes a 48 percent increase in retail sales. Retail sales for the GMC Sierra increased 59 percent during the month and retail sales for the Terrain were up 405 percent compared to last year. For the year, GMC total sales are up 28 percent (read more).
* Cadillac: Total sales of 12,620 for September were 11 percent higher than last September, with retail sales increasing 21 percent. SRX retail sales were up 96 percent, compared to a year ago, and CTS retail sales increased 18 percent. With total sales up 44 percent for the year, the brand remains the fastest growing luxury auto brand in the industry (read more).
* Fleet sales for GM’s four brands were 43,733 for the month.

[FenwickHockey65]

The competition...

Ford Motor Company: Up 46%, 160,873 units sold
Toyota: Up 16.8%, 147,162 units sold
Chrysler Group LLC: Up 61%, 100,077 units sold
Honda: Up 26.1% 97,361 units sold
Nissan: Up 34%, 74,205 units sold
Hyundai: Up 48%, 46,556 units sold

[futrocpd]

glad to see the american markets are all up.

[Hylton]

Market share news is very good!

[alrox]

Year over year sales mean very little with the massive government bubble (cash for clunkers) being popped last September. GM sales are down 6% August 2010 to September 2010.

All car sales are flat right now. Only a paid or biased shill will see this as good news and try to spin it as such.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by alrox

Year over year sales mean very little with the massive government bubble (cash for clunkers) being popped last September. GM sales are down 6% August 2010 to September 2010.

All car sales are flat right now. Only a paid or biased shill will see this as good news and try to spin it as such.

Yes, its horrible news that they're selling more cars this year than last. Shame on anyone that thinks some improvement is better than a sales drop.

[alrox]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Yes, its horrible news that they're selling more cars this year than last. Shame on anyone that thinks some improvement is better than a sales drop.

I think the external factors during that timeframe should be included in the reporting. Only giving the 'good news' is deceptive as well.

[Sax1031]

great news.

[LOWDOWN]

Wait for the complete story... I think the Import picture and Total Market numbers will be cause for some concern...

Third Quarter number$ will be key for the IPO, and its timing...

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by alrox

I think the external factors during that timeframe should be included in the reporting. Only giving the 'good news' is deceptive as well.

So what is so bad about moving more metal than a year ago?

[alrox]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

So what is so bad about moving more metal than a year ago?

Because a month ago they were moving more metal. YoY, the cash for clunkers bubble popped, car sales became very depressed and now they're claiming a double digit sales increase using that bottom. This is disingenuous reporting by not mentioning cash for clunkers or comparing to August 2010 sales.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by alrox

Because a month ago they were moving more metal. YoY, the cash for clunkers bubble popped, car sales became very depressed and now they're claiming a double digit sales increase using that bottom. This is disingenuous reporting by not mentioning cash for clunkers or comparing to August 2010 sales.

But its the same story for every automaker. Everyone had to deal with the slight 'C4C hangover', but on the other hand ... GM didn't make out as well with C4C than others did, so their sales pulled from September '09 to August '09 would be a lower percentage than for the industry average. But since we don't actually know exactly how many sales were pulled ahead for anyone, arguing about it is all merely theory. And none of it changes the fact that there were more cars sold in September 2010 than there were in September 2009, which is an inherently good thing regardless of the cause.

[v6sonoma]

I think the important thing is $hit is selling and without GM having to plunk down huge incentives. Which means profit. Regardless of the degree of good it's still good and thats good.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by v6sonoma

I think the important thing is $hit is selling and without GM having to plunk down huge incentives. Which means profit. Regardless of the degree of good it's still good and thats good.

your car wash smilie is awesome lol.