GM today announced July sales results, highlighted by continued strong performance in small and midsize cars and crossovers. GM dealers in the United States delivered 235,184 vehicles in July, down 26.7 percent. Weak industry conditions caused by a challenging U.S. economic environment, higher fuel prices and inventory shortages in critical segments such as compact cars contributed to the overall sales decline for the month.
“In July, we saw strong performance once again in our launch products, including the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Astra, and Pontiac Vibe and G8. In addition, we continued to see strong retail demand for our fuel efficient Chevrolet Aveo and HHR, Saturn Vue and Buick Enclave. So, despite an overall weak market, there are pockets of strength,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “Obviously, the weakness in the truck market persisted in July, yet we continue to hold share due to our fuel economy leadership in many truck segments despite dramatic competitive incentive spending increases.” Overall, GM truck sales in July declined 41.5 percent.
Chevrolet cars continued to show strength in the marketplace with Malibu total sales up 79 Percent, Aveo up 17 percent and Cobalt up 4 percent compared with last July.
Cadillac CTS dominated the mid-car luxury category with sales increasing 38 percent compared with the same month a year ago.
Pontiac met consumers’ needs for fuel efficient vehicles with a performance edge with G5 sales up 17 percent, Vibe up 7 percent and G6 up 6 percent compared with July 2007.
Saturn’s award-winning Aura midsize car saw a sales increase of 24 percent with the two-seat Sky selling 14 percent more vehicles than July last year. Astra monthly sales of more than 1,500 vehicles were the best to date, and show a 75 percent increase compared with June 2008 (Astra was not available last July).
GM’s popular midsized crossovers -- Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook -- together accounted for more than 11,600 vehicle sales in the month.
GM hybrid vehicles continue to gain in popularity in the marketplace with 228 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe and 123 GMC Yukon 2-mode SUVs delivered. There were 349 Chevrolet Malibu, 29 Saturn Aura and 362 Vue hybrids sold in July. For the month, a total of 1,091 hybrid vehicles were delivered, with 5,467 hybrids sold so far this year.
“We’re working hard to change perceptions and gain awareness of GM as the leader in advanced propulsion technology and fuel efficiency,” LaNeve added. “Customers can experience that each time they visit a dealer’s showroom to see the full lineup – including five hybrid models -- that provide industry-leading value, great fuel economy and the best warranty coverage of any full-line automaker. We don’t just talk about technology, fuel efficiency and value – we have the cars and trucks available today to back it up.”
GM has aggressively managed inventories to low levels. In July, only about 747,000 vehicles were in stock – a three-year low – down about 201,000 vehicles (21 percent) compared with last July. There were about 236,000 cars and 511,000 trucks in inventory at the end of July.
Certified Used Vehicles
July 2008 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 41,594 vehicles, down 2 percent from July 2007. Year-to-date sales are 298,137 vehicles, down nearly 6 percent from the same period last year.
GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling certified brand, posted July sales of 35,799 vehicles, down 4 percent from a strong July 2007 sales performance. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,700 vehicles, up 22 percent. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,164 vehicles, down 24 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 770 vehicles, up 21 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 161 vehicles, up 89 percent.
“Our luxury certified pre-owned programs – Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles – each posted strong sales increases last month, and GM Certified Used Vehicles is again setting the pace to lead the segment in sales this year,” said LaNeve. “We’re confident more shoppers will seek the quality and value that manufacturer certification offers.”