General Motors dealers delivered 284,694 vehicles in the United States in May, up 13 percent compared to the same time period a year ago. As expected, the very favorable results mark the automaker’s best May in its home market in seven years, and its best total sales since August 2008.
“The momentum we generated in April carried into May, with all four brands performing well in a growing economy and 17 vehicle lines posting double-digit retail sales increases or better,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations.
In May, retail sales were up 10 percent while fleet sales were up 21 percent. In addition, all four of GM’s U.S. brands posted year-over-year gains in total and retail sales volume, with Chevrolet being up 14.2 percent, Cadillac up 6.4 percent, GMC up 8.3 percent, and Buick up 11 percent. As such, GM expects the results to increase its total market share year-over-year.
May 2014 sales highlights (vs. 2013, except as noted):
- The seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles was an estimated 16.5 million units — the third consecutive month above 16 million.
- Chevrolet Cruze was up 41 percent
- Chevrolet Corvette was up 268 percent
- Chevrolet Spark sales doubled
- Chevrolet Camaro was up 30 percent
- Chevrolet Impala was up 23 percent
- Chevrolet Malibu retail sales were up 12 percent
- Retail sales of Chevrolet and GMC large SUVs doubled, while retail sales of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were up 16 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
- Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra sales were up for the third month in a row, with May deliveries up 8 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
- Cadillac CTS sedan sales were up 39 percent
- Cadillac Escalade deliveries were up 30 percent
- Cadillac SRX sales were up 27 percent, marking the vehicle line’s best May ever
- Buick Encore deliveries more than doubled
- Buick Regal sales were up 49 percent
- GM’s average transaction prices (ATPs), including full-size pickup ATPs, were in line with April. Calendar year to date, GM’s ATPs are up about $2,700.
- Incentive spending as a percentage of average transaction price was 10.4 percent, down 0.5 points from a year ago, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates. The industry average for May was 9.9 percent.
- Commercial fleet sales were up 21 percent, marking the seventh consecutive monthly increase and the best month since September 2008. Within commercial fleet, full-size van sales were up 46 percent and full-size pickups were up 35 percent.
- Small business deliveries, which are included in retail sales, were up 10 percent
- GM’s fleet deliveries exceeded expectations due to the timing of rental customer deliveries. As such, May will likely represent the company’s highest fleet volume month of 2014. By comparison, June was GM’s highest fleet sales volume in 2013. As a result, GM expects that June 2014 year-over-year fleet sales will be down sharply.
For the month, Chevrolet sales were up 14 percent in total, driven by a 26 percent increase in car deliveries. Buick sales were also very strong, with deliveries up 11 percent in total and 10 percent on a retail basis. Buick had its best May total and retail since 2005. Both Cadillac and GMC had their best May total and retail sales since 2007.
May 2014 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | YOY MONTHLY CHANGE | MAY 2014 | MAY 2013 | YTD % CHG | YTD 2014 | YTD 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | +14.21 | 205,010 | 179,510 | +2.15 | 839,341 | 821,674 |
| AVALANCHE | -99.95 | 1 | 1,980 | -99.29 | 72 | 10,166 |
| CAMARO | +30.41 | 10,340 | 7,929 | +11.05 | 38,951 | 35,076 |
| CAPRICE | +86.82 | 241 | 129 | +24.69 | 1,298 | 1,041 |
| CAPTIVA SPORT | +22.03 | 6,204 | 5,084 | +14.12 | 24,852 | 21,778 |
| COLORADO | -100 | 0 | 244 | -99.24 | 22 | 2,879 |
| CORVETTE | +267.73 | 3,328 | 905 | +211.64 | 15,021 | 4,820 |
| CRUZE | +40.5 | 32,393 | 23,055 | +18.36 | 119,330 | 100,818 |
| EQUINOX | -0.97 | 22,695 | 22,918 | -3.57 | 99,083 | 102,752 |
| EXPRESS | +17.59 | 9,822 | 8,353 | -1.12 | 31,378 | 31,734 |
| IMPALA | +23.13 | 13,348 | 10,841 | -3.03 | 64,121 | 66,127 |
| MALIBU | +2.06 | 19,288 | 18,899 | -2.72 | 87,368 | 89,812 |
| SILVERADO | +7.77 | 46,648 | 43,283 | -1.09 | 197,160 | 199,327 |
| SONIC | -7.76 | 8,784 | 9,523 | +7.65 | 40,672 | 37,783 |
| SPARK | +100.58 | 5,177 | 2,581 | +28.36 | 18,591 | 14,484 |
| SUBURBAN | +14.1 | 5,423 | 4,753 | -4.83 | 16,987 | 17,850 |
| SS | * | 297 | 0 | * | 1,445 | 0 |
| TAHOE | -0.15 | 9,229 | 9,243 | -1.07 | 34,691 | 35,067 |
| TRAVERSE | +23.54 | 10,108 | 8,182 | -3.58 | 41,461 | 42,999 |
| VOLT | +4.79 | 1,684 | 1,607 | -4.46 | 6,838 | 7,157 |
May 2014 - USA - Cadillac
| MODEL | YOY MONTHLY CHANGE | MAY 2014 | MAY 2013 | YTD % CHG | YTD 2014 | YTD 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADILLAC TOTAL | +6.37 | 14,688 | 13,808 | -0.82 | 69,176 | 69,750 |
| ATS | -23.15 | 2,497 | 3,249 | -13.81 | 13,552 | 15,724 |
| CTS | +18.23 | 2,905 | 2,457 | +8.78 | 13,834 | 12,717 |
| ELR | * | 52 | 0 | * | 293 | 0 |
| ESCALADE | +61.08 | 1,664 | 1,033 | +3.03 | 4,764 | 4,624 |
| ESCALADE ESV | +21.73 | 846 | 695 | -15.28 | 2,677 | 3,160 |
| ESCALADE EXT | -98.5 | 3 | 200 | -95.17 | 47 | 973 |
| SRX | +27.19 | 4,762 | 3,744 | +20.59 | 24,212 | 20,078 |
| XTS | -19.32 | 1,959 | 2,428 | -21.31 | 9,797 | 12,450 |
May 2014 - USA - Buick
| MODEL | YOY MONTHLY CHANGE | MAY 2014 | MAY 2013 | YTD % CHG | YTD 2014 | YTD 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUICK TOTAL | +10.98 | 19,957 | 17,982 | +11.25 | 92,069 | 82,759 |
| ENCLAVE | -13.58 | 4,589 | 5,310 | -7.64 | 23,940 | 25,919 |
| ENCORE | +112.79 | 4,475 | 2,103 | +95.7 | 19,515 | 9,972 |
| LACROSSE | -2.56 | 4,681 | 4,804 | -2.61 | 19,948 | 20,483 |
| REGAL | +49.1 | 2,396 | 1,607 | +41.99 | 10,560 | 7,437 |
| VERANO | -8.23 | 3,816 | 4,158 | -4.42 | 18,106 | 18,944 |
May 2014 - USA - GMC
| MODEL | YOY MONTHLY CHANGE | MAY 2014 | MAY 2013 | YTD % CHG | YTD 2014 | YTD 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC TOTAL | +8.28 | 45,039 | 41,594 | +4.15 | 188,848 | 181,320 |
| ACADIA | -28.74 | 6,282 | 8,815 | -11.1 | 33,174 | 37,318 |
| CANYON | * | 0 | 88 | -99.75 | 2 | 812 |
| SAVANA | +116.37 | 4,124 | 1,906 | +88.86 | 11,936 | 6,320 |
| SIERRA | +14.1 | 18,326 | 16,061 | +9.46 | 77,785 | 71,065 |
| TERRAIN | +11.3 | 8,734 | 7,847 | -1.58 | 41,944 | 42,617 |
| YUKON | +143.05 | 4,409 | 1,814 | +42.2 | 14,658 | 10,308 |
| YUKON XL | -37.51 | 3,164 | 5,063 | -27.41 | 9,349 | 12,880 |
May 2014 - USA - GM Total
| BRAND | YOY MONTHLY CHANGE | MAY 2014 | MAY 2013 | YTD % CHG | YTD 2014 | YTD 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM US TOTAL | +12.57 | 284,694 | 252,894 | +2.85 | 1,188,407 | 1,155,503 |
| BUICK | +10.98 | 19,957 | 17,982 | +11.25 | 92,069 | 82,759 |
| CADILLAC | +6.37 | 14,688 | 13,808 | -2.26 | 68,176 | 69,750 |
| CHEVROLET | +14.21 | 205,010 | 179,510 | +2.15 | 839,341 | 821,674 |
| GMC | +8.28 | 45,039 | 41,594 | +4.14 | 188,821 | 181,320 |
About The Charts
- 27 selling days for May 2014 and 26 for May 2013
- Totals include discontinued Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, and Chevrolet HHR
Comments
A sucker is born every day.
HEE HEE, O how I would like to piss in your Wheaties right now but even I can show mercy to you.
Come on Magirus, you don’t have THAT many birthdays!!
Not sure why they continue to include vehicles that GM no longer produces like the Avalanche and Colorado in these numbers. Take them out and Chevy is really impressing this year.
The trucks are basically back on track with last year’s numbers with a little over 1/2 the amount of rebates, the Equinox is holding its own with a 5 year old design, the Cruze is cruising (even with the recalls). Even the Malibu is gaining ground and momentum.
Plus the crowning jewel; Magirus is choking on his words. All is right in the world.
I don’t even know how the Camry ended up selling almost 50k
Toyota gives away a coupon for buying a Camry with every box of Japanese toilet paper!
“Cadillac SRX sales were up 27 percent, marking the vehicle line’s best May ever”
Despite being the oldest product in Cadillac’s range, the new SRX needs to be here tomorrow.
I wonder if the next gen epsilon so should adopt the alpha platform treatment to go lighter? Or push the envelope even further to make it as light as a small car like a Fit/Fiesta/Sonic?
Well I see some of the Epsilon going to the Alpha possibly the Lacrosse and the Regal being on a new Epsilon that is much lighter but still FWD and AWD. With the growth of the Verno this leads me to think I may be onto something here.
The new Terrain, Nox and SRX have so much pressure on them right now as each year they only improve even with age. The next one needs to be a hit as GM can not afford to see a drop in these sales. All I know is they better damn sure make them right.
My concern is how the CTS is doing ok and the ATS is not. I know the CTS has taken some of the sales but the ATS has stalled. The other models and version need to get here soon as the sedan as it is has run out of gas so to speak. I would love to see a V sport and a V series model soon. I know one is on the way but they need the other too. I think many are looking for a little more performance and it does not have to have a V8. It just needs to be priced right and have more power. People are not buying these for MPG.
You’re right on the new Nox/Terrain/SRX replacements. Outside the Silverado/Sierra, they’re the most important “model” in GM’s lineup. They have to be Jeep Cherokee level home runs (and I don’t love the looks of the new Cherokee, nor do I have much faith in Jeep quality, but those vehicles have been a smash hit).
And Cadillac — they’ve got a long road ahead. They have consistently put out better, even award-winning, product, but the competition is just ferocious and they’re falling behind. The ELR is a flop, the ATS is not doing well (I assume it’s overpriced, but that’s just a guess), the XTS seems to have run its course a place holder, and overall they just don’t have enough variants. Their marketing has to greatly improve, and the new product has to just keep coming, at a high level.
One Buick sedan must move to Alpha in order to give the line up some level of variety. Verano and Regal are too similar regarding size, but the positioning of Regal as sport sedan has really paid off.
In addition, I’m still hoping for an Omega based flagship so that Buick will absolutely be head and shoulders above Japanese luxury and Lincoln. Using Buick to combat lower priced rivals will prove worth while in the near future.
As for Terrain, Nox, SRX, I worry about the next generation. Americans right now seen to love older, tried and true models: Cruze, the old W body Impala, Camary, and F Series. Also, GM has had some difficulty with evolutionary design. The current Terrain, in particular, will be a hard act the follow.
I can only restate that the Buick & GMC distribution channel seems to be growing into a real force to be reckoned with. I would love to see profit/margin breakdowns for the two divisions and whether they gross more profit than Cadillac?
These are, for the most part, very encouraging results. Despite all the hoopla over recalls, a few things are clear. 1, GM have very good products, and 2, people understand that recalls are now a part of the industry. I’m surprised though, on the performance of the ATS. What’s wrong Scott? It competes in the most important segment in the luxury sector, bearing in mind all the other entrants (3 series, a4, c class etc) are having record sales.
Also, most people agree the Fusion is a little more appealing than the Malibu, but 14,000 units more! Wow!
Malibu got crushed by bad reviews, is the segment size runt, is a half step in between Japanese utilitarian design and the recent wave of highly stylized cars like Fusion and Mazda 6: a compromise, without Honda’s rep for reliability. Remember, Chevy was a semi damaged brand with still a ways to go in terms of perception and cool factor.
As for Caddy, they have great cars but cool zero cool factor…yet.
I think automotive reviewers are so biased that they will show no respect for the Malibu. Therefore, underrating it against its “competition.” The Malibu is a great car on paper and even better in person. After owning a 2014 2LTZ for quite some time, I can proudly say that I would have regretted buying a Camry, Fusion, 6, or Altima over the Malibu. The Accord and 200 are good sedans as well, but certain things on them turned me off.
As a Chevy Caddy Salesman, I agree with most of the comments. My opinion about the great ATS, which will get a boost later this year with the (more expensive) Coupe hitting the showrooms, is that it needs more content at the base price to compete with MB and Audi A3’s that I see advertised all over for 29900 to 33000.
In my experience, customers are excited about the cars looks, but when they get into it, it is small by design, with no folding rear seats in the base, so the size issue comes up often. Also, the CUE radio has that Wow Factor that would bring in younger people at that price range but the tiny non-CUE radio is a HUGE letdown in an otherwise cutting edge car.
CTS is great, but in our area it is a huge jump in price from the ATS just to get the larger Sized Caddy.
But as for xts? Or do they think they’re just a dts?
The Cadillac ATS is an excellent car but it is being sand-bagged by GM. Here’s how to make the car look appealing for the price it is asking: (1), Offer a full-glass or larger sunroof covering both front and rear seating as an option, (2) have an 8 or 9 speed transmission in the car already, (3) have a V-Sport package for the car, (4) update the 2.5, and naturally aspirated engine with more refined twin-turbo engines with torque the same output with horsepower or greater and (5) offer a diesel and hybrid version of the car. This ATS is an incredible first effort for Cadillac and I applaud them for it. I agree that interior room is an issue but it all depends on the person’s needs if the call is important enough for them to buy over the competition due to looks or just pure driving dynamics. If I was in the entry-level luxury car market, I would purchase the ATS over the competition in-spite its lack of space because it is a gorgeous car with excellent driving dynamics with superb fit and finish. I am a big man and I can fit in the drivers seat perfectly but can’t fit in the back at all which I am not concerned about. I am pretty much single with no kids so getting this car for myself would not be a problem. However, I am sure GM is aware of the ATS size demerit and the car will grow when the next generation arrives in 2019 or 2020.
The CTS is gaining market share with its asking price so that is a great sign. The only downfall I don’t like about the CTS is its awful side mirrors; they are just too small and I prefer the European version of the CTS over the CTS here. It is not a deal breaker but I prefer the larger mirrors of the European CTS.
There is competition within Cadillac with the XTS. I don’t know if most people are waiting for the LTS within the next year to come out or the people are cross shopping the XTS with CTS since both of them are similar in price. I prefer the styling of the XTS over the CTS but prefer the driving dynamics of the CTS.
Only the ELR, the price is not an issue but the car fail on content: here are the misses – (1) no sunroof as an option, (2) undernourished horsepower and torque, (3) trunk hinges intrude with trunk space, (4) hood support to hold the hood up instead of hydraulics to support and keep the hood up, (know this is a minor issue but for $75,000?), (5) eco tires that hinder handling of this car and (6) maybe offer all-wheel drive as an option. If Cadillac and GM offer sunroof as an option, add 100+ horsepower and torque, hide the trunk hinges for more trunk space, offer better all season performance tires or throw in a sport package and maybe add all-wheel drive as an option, this car would be more than worthy of its price tag, this car should sell better. Of course adding some of these changes could affect fuel economy but should not by much. Or if Cadillac, not willing to update the car, drop the price to $65,000.
The SRX is growing and maintaining popularity and I don’t know why. Is it the ride and handling balance or the CUV is spot on for most people? I think the SRX is a beautiful vehicle.
The Escalade is a hit and from where I am at, there are two major Cadillac dealerships within 12-13 miles from where I am at and 16 Cadillac dealers in all in TN, the Escalade is being sold immediately and on average of 5 day supply of them. The Escalade is a home run. However, I am waiting to see what the platinum model will look like. I think the interior on the Platinum could go a whole new level over the gorgeous interior of the ’15 Escalade. However, Cadillac needs to refined it a little more by offering an 8, 9 or 10 speed transmission for this vehicle, offer a diesel version of this thing same as a hybrid and offer more technology for this vehicle as a refresh after the LTS deput during the mid-model cycle.
Cadillac should do a sports car, an electric vehicle, compact CUV, CTS coupe, a four-dour coupe between the CTS and LTS and/or between the ATS and CTS, Elmirage production halo, an exotic halo, ultra luxury sedan halo and large 3 row crossover built on the Omega platform for the future. I predict that these Cadillacs will be fantastic and will set the new standard. And also, offer few convertible models. Cadillac needs to offer a diesels, a V12 and hybrids.
I believe that the Omega LTS will be a hit and an incredible feat. I mean think about it. Do you guys remember that GM cancelled the ultra-luxury halo sedan because it was too similar in style and was not different enough from the LTS? I think the LTS will be awesome and could set the standard and could be better than the S class and this Cadillac could be a poor man’s Bentley or Rolls-Royce with superb state-of-the-art technology. Think about it for a second. Cadillac is taking too long with this car and making it an incredible contender. So by that statement that the Halo is cancelled because it is too similar with the LTS, something tells me that this car will be something else that Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, and Audi need to pay special attention to and be seriously concerned.
Also, a great sign for Cadillac’s growth is more than half of the buyers are new to Cadillac every month!
Johnis–GM should hire you, no joke!
I notice that GM has had an issue with proper wheel base dimensions, interior space across the line up, not just Cadillac.
I think GM made a mistake over looking North American tastes in favor of the economics of the world car.
Also, I think GM was aiming to design the lightest/smallest in an effort to counteract the Cadillac as floaty barge stereotype. (I think, to a lesser extent, something similar had happened with the thinking at Buick.)
The LTS is taking too long. Cadillac will never be taken seriously as a MB peer until a true flagship is on the road (same over at Buick).
I think canceling an uber luxury halo was a mistake; but the bean counters won out in that the brand is not ready for the super luxury segment. I nonetheless think such a vehicle would have been the ultimate marketing effort. People need to see Cadillac as a Benz or BMW peer, and this will require loosing a little money short term to gain a lot.
I’m eager to see Caddy move further up market so that both Buick and Chevy can in tern both settle in more natural market positions.
I truly believe that the ATS should have:
ATS:
Base or Hybrid – 1.6t I4 with 220HP/235FT-LBS (eAssist Optional).
Upgrade – 2.0t I4 with 290HP/320FT-LBS.
Diesel – 2.5tdi I4 with 190HP/305FT-LBS.
V-Sport – 5.3L V8 with 365HP/395F-LBS.
V – 3.6tt V6 with 470HP/485FT-LBS.
8-Speed Automatic with Magnesium Paddles
6-Speed Manual
Johnls
Ambitious thinking but not all of it is really practical or doable if you had to present it as a business case.
In cases like the larger sun roof in the ATS you have to consider cost, issues of installing and weight. In a car this size you really do not want to have that much weight over your head as it will trash the handling dynamics of the car.
The CTS and XTS are aimed at two different owners. The XTS is the path to lead the folks in a old DTS to the new Cadillac. The XTS will soon go away or be more relegated to the fleet market where it is more intended. It is a left over design from pre chapter 11 GM and not exactly what Cadillac wants to build into the future.
The ELR was more or less a styling and technology exercise you can buy. It too was a left over show car that was not intended for large volumes. Think of it as Cadillac’ SSR.
The LTS is coming but it will not be a Rolls or Bentley competitor. This car is to take on Benz and BMW flag ships and nothing higher. The time may come they may attempt a higher model but not right now. Cadillac does not need a Maybach to set them back.
What we will see is several SUV and CUV models coming. They I hope will be as competitive as the BMW and Audi models with a little more sport in them than what we have had.
I also expect with Benz and BMW entering the low end with FWD Cadillac may offer something here. It will be special and all Cadillac so do not expect a chromed up Cruze. It may share a platform but nothing else.
The key to Cadillac’s future is unique engines of their own. While we all know they can not make their own power plant base they can make a line of engines based on the GM engines to their own tune and not shared with anything else. The TT V6 is an example. There will be a Turbo V8 at some point too. The real key is for Cadillac to take the Eco 4 and enhance the NHV of the engines. Also build them to make more power than anything else in the GM line up. A 400 HP Eco is very easy to do if they would like.
I would also do away with the NA 2.5 in all models and use a Turbo engine for the base. They have enough room on price to do this.
Cadillac has at the least 5 years of growth yet to get to where they need to be and then grow from there. Getting global approval and even slow growth overseas can help spur growth here. The Euro snobs may take more notice if they see these cars selling in Europe and gaining acceptance. They do not have to set records but slow and constant growth would be appreciated and needed.
The trim on the ELR and the new Escalade is top notch and I expect it to only improve and expand to the other models. Continued refinement here would be a must.
The Cue is being better accepted now but more refinement would not hurt. The system works but they need to make the system one that you know from the time you step into the car how to work it. People in this class do not want to have to get the manual out to learn. User friendly is a must in all GM systems as all automakers have struggled with it.
Continued weigh loss will be a major factor in this class with materials of all kinds. The more mass you lose the more performance and options you can keep.
scott3,
Thanks for replying but I do know that the LTS will compete with the S Class, 7 Series and A8 but what I am saying at the same time is that the LTS could take this class of competition to an all new level. Right now the S Class sets the standard but the LTS could too so it could be equal to the S Class or better. How much better than the S Class I don’t know for that matter but the car is taking too long for it to come and in my opinion, it could be something else. In some reviews, the S Class was considered the best luxury car in the world. So what I am saying is if Cadillac makes a car better than the S Class very close to Bentley and Rolls Royce with S Class price but not as expensive like the S Class, this car could be a real deal.
Inspite of room and cargo efficiency demerits, the ATS and CTS are best in class right now and sets the standard in many ways.
All this is just my theory but we just need to wait till the car debuts the next several months and see road tests several months after that.