GM's year-over-year sales dropped 13% in February

RP news wires, Noria Corporation
General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 270,423 vehicles in February, a decrease of 13 percent compared with an unusually strong February last year.

"Our new launch vehicles, including the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS, had a sensational month, as did the Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Aura and the Pontiac G6," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America vehicle sales, service and marketing. "Most importantly, despite tough market conditions, we anticipate our total retail vehicle sales share to have remained flat for the first two months of the year compared to 2007. We are encouraged by our performance in the key passenger car categories, and while the overall market for trucks is challenging, we anticipate holding our share for full-size pickups and utilities."

Truck sales declined 20 percent compared with a year ago.

GM's fuel-efficient cars saw strong growth. Chevrolet Cobalt total sales were up 56 percent with retail up 24 percent; Pontiac G6 was up 50 percent total and 6 percent retail; and Buick LaCrosse total sales were up 12 percent compared with February 2007.

The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook together accounted for more than 11,000 vehicle sales in the month, an increase of 94 percent compared with the same month last year. Outlook sales were up 15 percent; Acadia sales increased 39 percent; and there were more than 3,800 Buick Enclaves sold.

Also of note, the Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover utility had total sales of more than 8,600 vehicles for a 15 percent increase, and a retail sales increase of 8 percent compared to a year ago.

"Our sales increase at Cadillac shows the power of new products to attract consumers - even in a tough market," LaNeve added. "Additionally, Saturn Outlook had a 15 percent total sales increase, illustrating that vehicle's contribution to the mid-utility crossover segment performance. We remain focused on offering vehicles that have industry-leading value, great fuel economy and the best warranty coverage of any full-line automaker."

GM North America Reports February 2008 Production, 2008 First-Quarter Production Forecast Unchanged at 965,000 Vehicles, 2008 Second-Quarter Production Forecast Set at 1.08 Million Vehicles

In February, GM North America produced 350,000 vehicles (129,000 cars and 221,000 trucks). This is up 1,000 units, or less than 1 percent, compared to February 2007 when the region produced 349,000 vehicles (130,000 cars and 219,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 22,000 vehicles in February 2008 and 20,000 vehicles in February 2007.)

The region's 2008 first-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 965,000 vehicles (357,000 cars and 608,000 trucks). Additionally, GM North America's initial 2008 second-quarter production forecast is set at 1.08 million vehicles (408,000 cars and 672,000 trucks), down 62,000 units or 5 percent from second-quarter 2007 actuals. In the second quarter of 2007, the region produced 1.142 million vehicles (402,000 cars and 740,000 trucks).

# # #

 

*S/D Curr: 25
*S/D Prev: 24

February

(Calendar Year-to-Date)
January - February

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

%Chg per S/D

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

Vehicle Total

270,423

311,763

-13.3

-16.7

522,988

559,227

-6.5

Car Total

107,592

108,902

-1.2

-5.2

211,966

213,058

-0.5

Light Truck Total

161,145

199,509

-19.2

-22.5

307,697

339,967

-9.5

Light Vehicle Total

268,737

308,411

-12.9

-16.3

519,663

553,025

-6.0

Truck Total

162,831

202,861

-19.7

-22.9

311,022

346,169

-10.2

GM Vehicle Deliveries by Marketing Division

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

%Chg per S/D

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

Buick Total

12,768

15,108

-15.5

-18.9

25,517

27,121

-5.9

Cadillac Total

14,420

14,142

2.0

-2.1

29,212

27,882

4.8

Chevrolet Total

166,166

187,088

-11.2

-14.7

315,714

335,537

-5.9

GMC Total

33,237

41,279

-19.5

-22.7

65,507

69,767

-6.1

HUMMER Total

3,362

4,177

-19.5

-22.7

6,412

8,157

-21.4

**Other-Isuzu Total

0

960

***.*

***.*

0

1,627

***.*

Pontiac Total

23,935

24,563

-2.6

-6.5

46,960

48,623

-3.4

Saab Total

1,734

2,221

-21.9

-25.0

3,506

4,583

-23.5

Saturn Total

14,801

22,225

-33.4

-36.1

30,160

35,930

-16.1

GM Vehicle Total

270,423

311,763

-13.3

-16.7

522,988

559,227

-6.5

GM Car Deliveries by Marketing Division

 

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

%Chg per S/D

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

Buick Total

8,820

9,886

-10.8

-14.4

18,036

18,259

-1.2

Cadillac Total

9,760

7,859

24.2

19.2

19,853

16,336

21.5

Chevrolet Total

60,105

58,265

3.2

-1.0

117,107

113,495

3.2

Pontiac Total

21,716

21,708

0.0

-4.0

42,229

43,949

-3.9

Saab Total

1,295

1,793

-27.8

-30.7

2,661

3,678

-27.7

Saturn Total

5,896

9,391

-37.2

-39.7

12,080

17,341

-30.3

GM Car Total

107,592

108,902

-1.2

-5.2

211,966

213,058

-0.5

GM Light Truck Deliveries by Marketing Division

 

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

%Chg per S/D

2008

2007

%Chg Volume

Buick Total

3,948

5,222

-24.4

-27.4

7,481

8,862

-15.6

Cadillac Total

4,660

6,283

-25.8

-28.8

9,359

11,546

-18.9

Chevrolet Total

105,159

127,635

-17.6

-20.9

196,863

219,790

-10.4

GMC Total

32,453

40,075

-19.0

-22.3

63,926

67,444

-5.2

HUMMER Total

3,362

4,177

-19.5

-22.7

6,412

8,157

-21.4

Pontiac Total

2,219

2,855

-22.3

-25.4

4,731

4,674

1.2

Saab Total

439

428

2.6

-1.5

845

905

-6.6

Saturn Total

8,905

12,834

-30.6

-33.4

18,080

18,589

-2.7

GM Light Truck Total

161,145

199,509

-19.2

-22.5

307,697

339,967

-9.5

* Twenty-five selling days (S/D) for the February period this year and twenty-four for the last year.

** Prior to Aug '07, includes American Isuzu Motors, Inc., dealer deliveries of commercial vehicles distributed by GM as reported to GM by American Isuzu Motors Inc.

Effective Aug '07, GM only includes GMC & Chevrolet dealer deliveries of commercial vehicles distributed by American Isuzu Motors, Inc.