By The Numbers: November 2009 – The “Sell Less To Fleets” Edition

Sales results for the month of November are in: GM sold 151,427 vehicles in the U.S. –  a decline of 2 percent compared with November 2008. While overall sales were down, retail sales were up by 1 percent for the month. Total sales of GM’s four core brands (Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet) increased by 6 percent vs. the prior year, with retails sales for these brands increasing 10 percent in the same time frame. What this means is GM is selling more vehicles to end-users and individual customers as opposed to fleets. In fact, fleet sales declined 9 percent when compared to November 2008.

It’s also encouraging to hear that GM’s six launch vehicles (Chevy Equinox and Camaro, GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX and CTS Sport Wagon) accounted for more than one out of every five retails sales. That said, GM recognizes it still has a lot of work to do when it comes to changing consumer perceptions as well as increasing the competitiveness of its product line, with Susan Docherty, GM Vice President of U.S. Sales saying

Consumer interest in our launch vehicles remains solid. We’re working to strengthen our Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands by providing cars, crossovers and trucks with the sales and service experience that our customers deserve. We have more to do, but we’re committed to earning consideration and future sales by delivering great products in every segment.

Non-core GM brands (read: those we’re selling or shutting down as fast as humanly possible) represented 8 percent of sales compared with 15 percent in November 2008.

Something interesting that caught our eye: the press release says that the GMC Terrain replaces the Pontiac Torrent in GM’s product portfolio – a testament (in our opinion) of how terribly-positioned the Pontiac brand was in the first place. A GMC replacing a Pontiac? Really?

Check out the full sales report from GM after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

GM Reports 151,427 Total Sales in November

Retail Sales for Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC Up 10 Percent

DETROIT – GM dealers in the U.S. delivered 151,427 vehicles in November. While this represents a decline of 2 percent compared with November 2008, GM retail sales were up 1 percent for the month. Total sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac were up 6 percent vs. the prior year. Retail sales for these brands were up 10 percent vs. the prior year, and currently represent 94 percent of GM’s retail sales performance.

“Consumer interest in our launch vehicles remains solid,” said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, U.S. Sales. “We’re working to strengthen our Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands by providing cars, crossovers and trucks with the sales and service experience that our customers deserve. We have more to do, but we’re committed to earning consideration and future sales by delivering great products in every segment.”

November quick facts:

• Combined retail sales of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC represented 94 percent of GM retail sales, up from 86 percent in November 2008
• Total GM retail sales increased 1 percent when compared with the prior year
• Retail sales for Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC increased 10 percent for the month compared with November 2008
• Retail sales of our six launch vehicles comprised 22 percent of total GM retail sales, more than one out of five retail sales, and volume was 6 percent higher than last month
• Retail sales of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC Crossover launch vehicles were up 140 percent vs. a year ago compared with the vehicles they replace
• Combined retail sales of crossovers and cars were 60 percent of GM retail sales for the month, compared with 46 percent in November 2008 – the eighth month at this level in 2009
• Total sales for GM full-size pickup trucks were down 24 percent for the month, compared to November 2008
• Fleet sales declined 9 percent vs. November 2008

Chevrolet key facts:

• Chevrolet retail sales were up 10 percent for the month compared with a year ago – the second consecutive monthly retail sales gain
• Chevrolet passenger car retail sales were up 41 percent vs. November 2008, led by Aveo (up 94 percent), and Malibu (up 34 percent)
• Traverse retail sales were up 154 percent compared with November 2008
• Equinox retail sales were up 247 percent compared with last year, and up 27 percent  calendar year-to-dateCamaro retail sales were 6,827 – the sixth consecutive month above 6,000 and higher than Ford Mustang

Buick key facts:

• Buick retail sales were up 33 percent compared with a year ago
• LaCrosse retail sales were up 238 percent compared with November 2008
• Enclave retail sales were up 33 percent compared with November 2008

GMC key facts:

• GMC retail sales were up 6 percent vs. November 2008
• Terrain retail sales of 3,514 were 418 percent higher compared with last year for the vehicle it replaces (Pontiac Torrent)
• Acadia retail sales were up 17 percent compared with November 2008

Cadillac key facts:

• Cadillac retail sales were up 2 percent and total sales were up 10 percent compared with November 2008 – the second consecutive month of retail and total sales gains
• SRX retail sales were 361 percent higher vs. the prior year
• SRX retail sales are up 5 percent calendar year-to-date through November

Other Brands Sold 11,755 Total Vehicles in November

As a percent of total GM sales, these brands represented 8 percent of sales, compared with 15 percent in November 2008.

Management Discussion of November Sales Results

“We continue to be encouraged by the latest information which shows the U.S. economy strengthening,” said Mike DiGiovanni, executive director, Global Market and Industry Analysis. “For example, we estimate that housing starts will probably rise to about 600,000 to 650,000 by the end of 2010, which will have a positive effect on the economy and will also help support improvement in light-duty pickup truck sales.”

U.S. Economy

·         Credit spread has returned to normal levels. However, consumer credit continues to contract – reflecting both weak credit demand and cautious bank lending

·         Consumer confidence fell slightly in November, but remains much improved from the trough in February

·         Manufacturing sector is increasing output due to depleted current inventories

·         Job losses continue to slow, however employment levels continue to be a concern

·         Housing starts, new and existing home sales, and home prices are beginning to stabilize

U. S. Auto Industry

·         The U.S. November 2009 SAAR is estimated to be slightly higher than October – approximately 11.0 million (total industry estimate)

·         Industry inventory levels are anticipated to increase moderately through Q4 to support modestly rising industry sales

GM North America Production

GM U.S. Dealer Inventory

About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

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