June sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac increased by a combined 36 percent to 194,828 units in the United States. This is the sixth straight month in which sales for GM's brands increased year-over-year by more than 20 percent. Year-to-date sales for the four brands also have risen 32 percent to 1,069,577 units - an increase of 258,368 units compared to last year.
The increase was fueled by the continuing success of the company's launch vehicles, its growing sales of compact, midsize and luxury crossovers, and some recovery in the markets for pickups and full-size SUVs.
The resurgence in large pickup truck sales was a key factor behind June's results, according to Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. Combined sales of the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Avalanche, and GMC Sierra were up 27 percent for the month, compared to June 2009 and are up 12 percent year-to-date.
"As companies continue to invest in their businesses, we expect this segment to continue to recover," said Johnson. "We think the release of some pent up demand in the pickup market is an indication that a fundamental part of the U.S. economy is gradually strengthening."
GM's launch vehicles continue to be a driving factor behind the company's sales increases. Retail sales of the Chevrolet Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse and Regal, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX and CTS Wagon have increased 222 percent year-to-date through June and totaled 172,083. This represents about one out of every four retail sales for GM.
June Crossover Performance Keeps GM the Industry Crossover Leader
Chevrolet and GMC dealers reported 16,093 deliveries of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain - a 208 percent improvement from June 2009. For the year, sales of these vehicles are up almost 193 percent, to 94,105 sales through June.
Mid-size crossovers Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia continued to show improvement. During June, their combined sales increased 39 percent. Year-to-date, they are up 28 percent.
The Cadillac SRX luxury crossover maintained its impressive run with an increase of 462 percent during the month. Year-to-date, SRX sales are up 488 percent.
Month-end dealer inventory in the U.S. stood at about 438,000 units, which is about 30,000 higher compared to May 2010, and about 144,000 lower than June 2009.
June Key Facts and Brand Results:
-- Sixth consecutive month that sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and
Cadillac have increased by 20 percent or more.
-- Ninth consecutive month of total and retail sales gains for GM's four
brands.
-- Fifth month in a row of total sales improvement for GM's full-size
pickups.
-- Fourth consecutive month of double-digit retail sales increases for
GM's brands.
-- Chevrolet: Chevrolet delivered 141,381 vehicles in June, a 32 percent
gain year-over-year. This includes an 11 percent increase in retail
sales, marking the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year retail
sales gains. The largest sales increases were from Chevrolet line of
full-size trucks. Silverado registered 30,994 total sales in June - a
year-over-year increase of 25 percent, and posted the best retail
sales month of the year (read more).
-- Buick: Buick posted a 53 percent sales increase in June compared to
the same month last year. Year-to-date total sales for Buick are up 48
percent. Driven by the momentum around the LaCrosse and Enclave,
retail sales saw a 28 percent increase for the ninth consecutive month
of year-over-year retail sales increases, making June the best total
sales month for Buick in 2010. (read more).
-- GMC: GMC reported a 45 percent increase in total sales and 34 percent
increase in retail sales in the month of June, compared to the same
month last year. This is the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year
sales increases for GMC, and for the calendar year GMC total sales
were up 29 percent over last year. (read more).
-- Cadillac: Total sales for June were up 39 percent versus the same
month last year. Retail sales were up 35 percent. SRX total sales rose
462 percent for its 10th straight month of triple-digit percentage
increases. CTS posted its best retail month of the year. CTS total
sales were up 31 percent and retail sales were up 23 percent. (read
more).
-- GM's Full-Size Utilities Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Yukon
and Yukon XL increased 69 percent during the month, totaling 15,192
deliveries. Year-to-date, sales of these vehicles are up 19 percent.
-- Fleet sales for GM's four brands were 59,571 for the month.