GM dealers in the United States delivered 337,640 vehicles in September, up 4 percent compared with a year ago. The company's 255,274 retail deliveries were up more than 7 percent.
For the second consecutive month GM bucked industry trends, led by brisk retail sales of full-size trucks, mid-utility crossovers, the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Cobalt.
"Our market share performance of more than 25 percent over the last quarter demonstrates strong consumer acceptance of our new products and the continued progress we've made in our North America turnaround strategy," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our industry-leading truck lineup continued its strong performance, and we were particularly pleased by our performance in passenger cars, led by the fuel-efficient Chevy Cobalt and all-new Cadillac CTS. The CTS had its best-ever September performance with more than 5,400 vehicles sold, a testament to the power of the all-new model."
The company continues transforming its North American business with overall incentive spending flat compared with a year ago. September inventories were down about 100,000 vehicles to approximately 900,000 vehicles. Fleet deliveries were down, as planned, by more than 6 percent.
"Our retail share, which has been stable for two years, improved in Q3 with all three months solid from a share standpoint," LaNeve added. "For the second consecutive month, we posted good retail volume despite a challenging industry. To build on that retail strength, we're gearing up for the all-new Chevrolet Malibu launch later this month and are encouraging folks to try our pickups and SUVs as part of the Truck Month sales event."
Cadillac CTS total sales surged ahead 74 percent, compared with year-ago performance, due to the strength of the all-new CTS, now in showrooms. GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave together had total sales of nearly 13,000 vehicles, pushing the significant increase in GM's mid-crossover segment. Total sales of the fuel-efficient Cobalt were up more than 35 percent compared with last September.
Other vehicles with retail sales increases, compared with year-ago levels, include: Chevrolet Aveo, Impala, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, HHR and Equinox; Saturn AURA and VUE; GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL; Cadillac Escalade; Pontiac G5, G6 and Torrent; Buick Lucerne and Saab 9-3.
An increasing number of consumers cite warranty coverage as a reason for buying a new GM vehicle. GM's 5 Year/100,000 Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty continues to be a better choice for customers. GM's coverage focuses on the complete ownership experience and includes other provisions that competitors do not offer, including transferability to the next owner, more complete coverage of parts, and coverage for new and certified used vehicles. In addition, GM offers superior complementary programs, such as courtesy transportation and roadside assistance. "GM provides the best coverage in the industry and takes care of the vehicle and the owner like no other vehicle manufacturer," LaNeve added.
Certified Used Vehicles
September 2007 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 41,118 vehicles, down 10.5 percent from last September. Total year-to-date certified GM sales are 402,191 vehicles, up 2 percent from the same period last year.
GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used vehicle brand, posted 36,206 sales, down 9 percent from last September. There was one less selling day than last September. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 353,600 vehicles, up 4 percent from the same period in 2006.
Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted September sales of 3,038 vehicles, down 20 percent from last September. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,173 vehicles in September, down 21 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 564 vehicles, down 26 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 137 vehicles, up 22 percent.
"Through September, GM Certified Used Vehicles continues to lead the manufacturer-certified category, with year-to-date sales up 4 percent from last year's industry-leading annual sales results," said LaNeve. "GM Certified customers enjoy the certified segment's broadest selection of vehicles from the largest dealer network, backed by a fully transferable 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, the best coverage of any full-line automaker."
GM North America Reports September and Third-Quarter 2007 Production, 2007 Fourth-Quarter Production Forecast Unchanged at 1 Million Vehicles
In September, GM North America produced 323,000 vehicles (118,000 cars and 205,000 trucks). This is down 64,000 units or 16 percent compared with September 2006 when the region produced 387,000 vehicles (161,000 cars and 226,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 15,000 vehicles in September 2007 and 22,000 vehicles in September 2006.)
GM North America built 1.020 million vehicles (367,000 cars and 653,000 trucks) in the third-quarter of 2007. This is down 30,000 vehicles or 3 percent compared with third-quarter of 2006 when the region produced 1.050 million vehicles (417,000 cars and 633,000 trucks). The third-quarter 2007 production decline versus last month's guidance is largely due to the recent UAW work stoppage in the U.S. Additionally, GM North America's 2007 fourth-quarter production forecast is unchanged at 1 million vehicles (334,000 cars and 666,000 trucks). In the fourth-quarter of 2006 the region produced 1.107 million vehicles (446,000 cars and 661,000 trucks).