General Motors U.S. dealers delivered 202,786 new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles in January 2015, an increase of 18 percent compared to January 2014. The results represent GM’s best January sales in the U.S. market in seven years.
“Consumers feel very good because more people are working, the U.S. economy is expanding and fuel prices are low,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Consumer and commercial demand for trucks and crossovers is really driving our business, and our move into the small crossover segment with the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, and mid-size pickups with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, was well-timed.”
January sales highlights (vs. January 2014, except as noted):
- Retail sales were up 14 percent and fleet deliveries were up 32 percent
- Year-over-year pickup deliveries increased 42 percent, following the 43 percent increase in December 2014
- Large pickup sales were up 22 percent
- Over 8,000 all-new mid-size trucks were delivered, with GM the only U.S.-based automaker to compete in the midsize segment
- Sales of crossovers and SUVs were up 36 percent year over year, with the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse, the GMC Terrain and the Buick Encore all posting their highest January sales ever
- Chevrolet sales grew 20 percent to 142,882 units:
- The results make for Chevrolet’s best January total and retail sales since 2008.
- Silverado deliveries increased 25 percent to 36,106 units
- In just five months, the all-new Colorado has overtaken the Nissan Frontier to become second best-selling midsize pickup truck in retail market share, selling 5,942 units in December
- Tahoe sales were up 88 percent to 6,607 units
- Suburban sales were up 142.2 units to 4,130 units
- Traverse sales were up 89 percent to 10,151 units
- Equinox was up 34.4 percent to 19,555 units, with Chevrolet scheduled to unveil the refreshed 2016 Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show on February 12
- Trax was responsible for 1,839 sales
- The Chevrolet Cruze, which had its best annual sales ever in 2014, began 2015 with its best January sales ever, selling 18,693 units, up with 11.1 percent
- The Spark also recorded its best January ever, growing 71.5 percent to 3,170 units
- Camaro was up 5.5 percent to 4,991 units
- Express van was down 8 percent to 3,582 units
- Malibu sales grew 0.5 percent to 11,878 units
- Impala sales dropped 22.6 percent to 9,214 units
- SS Performance Sedan dropped 50.4 percent to 115 units
- GMC sales grew 28.6 percent to 35,671 units:
- The results represent the brand’s best retail sales since 2004
- Every GMC posted an increase in year-over-year sales except for the Savana van
- Sierra was up 13.5 percent to 12,621 units
- Acadia was up 8 percent to 5,898 units
- Terrain was up 25.2 percent to 8,844 units
- Yukon was up 105.8 percent to 2,649 units
- Yukon XL was up 127.2 percent to 1,965 units
- Savana was down 8 23.1 percent to 1,489 units
- The Canyon had its best January in 10 years following the launch of the all-new model late last year, selling 2,205 units in January
- Buick sales dropped 5.5 percent to 12,553 units:
- Except for the Encore, sales of every Buick model were down for the month
- Enclave was down 0.3 percent to 3,497 units
- Encore was up 46.4 percent to 3,465 units, marking the best January ever for the model
- LaCrosse was down 29 percent to 2,023 units
- Regal was down 44.8 percent to 792 units
- Verano was down 11 percent to 2,776 units
- Cadillac sales grew 2.6 percent to 11,680 units:
- Only the Escalade, XTS, and ELR posted gains in sales, with all other Cadillac models seeing year-over-year decreases
- ATS was down 8 percent to 1,757 units
- CTS was down 23.9 percent to 1,698 units
- XTS was up 14.2 percent to 1,882 units
- ELR was up 124.4 percent to 92 units
- Escalade was up 136.4 percent to 1,664 units, while the Escalade ESV was up 188.7 percent to 1,100 units
- SRX was down 21.6 percent to 3,485 units
Average Transaction Prices (ATPs)
ATPs were $34,800, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates through January 25. That’s a $2,400 per unit increase compared to a year ago.
Incentives
Month over month, GM reduced incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs, according to PIN estimates. Incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs was 10.5 percent in January, down 0.3 points month-over-month, while industry average spending was 9.6 percent of ATPs, down 0.7 points.
In 11 of the last 13 months, GM has had the lowest incentives of all domestic automakers on an ATP basis.
Fleet And Commercial
Commercial deliveries were up 17 percent, the 15th consecutive monthly year-over-year increase, thanks to higher demand for trucks, SUVs and crossovers.
Government sales were up 27 percent driven by crossover and SUV deliveries, including the new Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle.
Industry Sales
GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in January was 16.6 million.
Sales Results - January 2015 - USA - Chevrolet
| CHEVROLET | JAN 2015 / JAN 2014 | JANUARY 2015 | JANUARY 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | +20% | 142,882 | 119,089 | +20% | 142,882 | 119,089 |
| CAMARO | +5.5% | 4,991 | 4,733 | +5.5% | 4,991 | 4,733 |
| CAPRICE | -38% | 124 | 200 | -38% | 124 | 200 |
| CAPTIVA SPORT | -99.7% | 10 | 3,765 | -99.7% | 10 | 3,765 |
| CITY EXPRESS | * | 585 | 0 | * | 585 | 0 |
| COLORADO | +42342.9% | 5,942 | 14 | +42342.9% | 5,942 | 14 |
| CORVETTE | -5.9% | 2,127 | 2,261 | -5.9% | 2,127 | 2,261 |
| CRUZE | +11.1% | 18,693 | 16,828 | +11.1% | 18,693 | 16,828 |
| EQUINOX | +34.4% | 19,555 | 14,547 | +34.4% | 19,555 | 14,547 |
| EXPRESS | -8% | 3,582 | 3,892 | -8% | 3,582 | 3,892 |
| IMPALA | -22.6% | 9,214 | 11,898 | -22.6% | 9,214 | 11,898 |
| MALIBU | +0.5% | 11,878 | 11,822 | +0.5% | 11,878 | 11,822 |
| SILVERADO | +24.8% | 36,106 | 28,926 | +24.8% | 36,106 | 28,926 |
| SONIC | -46.5% | 3,521 | 6,587 | -46.5% | 3,521 | 6,587 |
| SPARK | +71.5% | 3,170 | 1,848 | +71.5% | 3,170 | 1,848 |
| SUBURBAN | +142.2% | 4,130 | 1,705 | +142.2% | 4,130 | 1,705 |
| SS | -50.4% | 115 | 232 | -50.4% | 115 | 232 |
| TAHOE | +88% | 6,607 | 3,514 | +88% | 6,607 | 3,514 |
| TRAVERSE | +89.1% | 10,151 | 5,368 | +89.1% | 10,151 | 5,368 |
| TRAX | * | 1,839 | 0 | * | 1,839 | 0 |
| VOLT | -41% | 542 | 918 | -41% | 542 | 918 |
Sales Results - January 2015 - USA - GMC
| GMC | JAN 2015 / JAN 2014 | JANUARY 2015 | JANUARY 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC TOTAL | +28.6% | 35,671 | 27,733 | +28.6% | 35,671 | 27,733 |
| ACADIA | +8% | 5,898 | 5,463 | +8% | 5,898 | 5,463 |
| CANYON | +220400% | 2,205 | 1 | +220400% | 2,205 | 1 |
| SAVANA | -23.1% | 1,489 | 1,936 | -23.1% | 1,489 | 1,936 |
| SIERRA | +13.5% | 12,621 | 11,118 | +13.5% | 12,621 | 11,118 |
| TERRAIN | +25.2% | 8,844 | 7,063 | +25.2% | 8,844 | 7,063 |
| YUKON | +105.8% | 2,649 | 1,287 | +105.8% | 2,649 | 1,287 |
| YUKON XL | +127.2% | 1,965 | 865 | +127.2% | 1,965 | 865 |
Sales Results - January 2015 - USA - Buick
| BUICK | JAN 2015 / JAN 2014 | JANUARY 2015 | JANUARY 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUICK TOTAL | -5.5% | 12,553 | 13,278 | -5.5% | 12,553 | 13,278 |
| ENCLAVE | -0.3% | 3,497 | 3,509 | -0.3% | 3,497 | 3,509 |
| ENCORE | +46.4% | 3,465 | 2,366 | +46.4% | 3,465 | 2,366 |
| LACROSSE | -29% | 2,023 | 2,849 | -29% | 2,023 | 2,849 |
| REGAL | -44.8% | 792 | 1,434 | -44.8% | 792 | 1,434 |
| VERANO | -11% | 2,776 | 3,120 | -11% | 2,776 | 3,120 |
Sales Results - January 2015 - USA - Cadillac
| CADILLAC | JAN 2015 / JAN 2014 | JANUARY 2015 | JANUARY 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADILLAC TOTAL | +2.6% | 11,680 | 11,386 | +2.6% | 11,680 | 11,386 |
| ATS | -8% | 1,757 | 1,909 | -8% | 1,757 | 1,909 |
| CTS | -23.9% | 1,698 | 2,232 | -23.9% | 1,698 | 2,232 |
| ELR | +124.4% | 92 | 41 | +124.4% | 92 | 41 |
| ESCALADE | +136.4% | 1,664 | 704 | +136.4% | 1,664 | 704 |
| ESCALADE ESV | +188.7% | 1,100 | 381 | +188.7% | 1,100 | 381 |
| ESCALADE EXT | * | 2 | 25 | -92% | 2 | 25 |
| SRX | -21.6% | 3,485 | 4,446 | -21.6% | 3,485 | 4,446 |
| XTS | +14.2% | 1,882 | 1,648 | +14.2% | 1,882 | 1,648 |
Sales Results - January 2015 - USA - GM Total
| BRAND | JAN 2015 / JAN 2014 | JANUARY 2015 | JANUARY 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM US TOTAL | +18.3% | 202,786 | 171,486 | +18.3% | 202,786 | 171,486 |
| BUICK | -5.5% | 12,553 | 13,278 | -5.5% | 12,553 | 13,278 |
| CADILLAC | +2.6% | 11,680 | 11,386 | +2.6% | 11,680 | 11,386 |
| CHEVROLET | +20% | 142,882 | 119,089 | +20% | 142,882 | 119,089 |
| GMC | +28.6% | 35,671 | 27,733 | +28.6% | 35,671 | 27,733 |
Comments
Tahoe sales are phenomenal, especially considering the price tag. The profit margin has to be around $20k on those things. With all that cash flow, I am sure GM will do the right thing and repay all the money it still owes the American taxpayer. Or not.
Let’s pretend GM pays back.
What do you think the government will do with this money? Fix the school system? Roads? The health system?…
Those politicians will burn those billions faster than the speed of light. Republican or democrat, they’re all made of trash!
If the General owes some money (which I don’t believe), these dollars are in much better hands.
Look at the fantastic cars GM is building!! It’s the best thing they can do for the tax payers.
Agreed.
GM doesn’t owe anything to tax payers, Ford does with its government loan. And if GM would of go down, there just wouldn’t be as much taxpayers. GM took care of tax payers for over 100 years and when they needed help, tax payers took care of GM. Because of that, we were able to come out of resession much sooner. And now it’s been about 6 years, so get over it!
An incompetent company with unsustainable cost structures caused by a combination of unrealistic union contracts and incompetent management, received 52 billion in bailout funds and was told they only had to pay back 6.7 of it. Unless they give back 52 billion plus interest this is a giant money pit.
I got my home loan about eight years ago, should I tell the bank I am paying no more and to get over it?
These guys with their right vs. wrong theories.
The difference is that you requested the loan for your house. GM didn’t request $52 billion.
Instead, the governemnt realized what would happen to the U.S. economy if a company the size of GM would go out of business, and gave them the money.
If GM would have reached out and gotten the money as a loan, then it would have been a loan, plain and simple.
By the way, how much do you think GM paid in taxes over the last 100 years? How about how much its employees paid in taxes, or how much tax revenue GM’s products created (by being purchased). Ever factor that into your ideological standards?
There’s some great products like Regal that need some ad dollars and maybe even some re-positioning in the marketplace. Add content, reduce build combinations and some aggressive pricing/leasing deals might add volume without cannibalizing other GM vehicles if done properly.
I know that the high volume stuff gets all the attention, but where are you going to grow sales more easily — in a segment where you have 30% or a segment where you have 5% or 10%? Even if you offer big discounts, it hurts the competition much worse if they try to keep themselves competitive. That’s a successful battlefield……you either gain sales and market share — or the competition bleeds more than you do.
Time to use the strategy that others have successfully used on GM
Regal (Insignia) is one of the finest cars of any manufacturer, see the CR index, yet has been a sales failure in the US. This is due to poor branding, Verano eating up sales, and the car being an unusual got for Buick upon introduction.
Regal should be the vehicle all other Buick offerings are benchmarked against. Such an effort would transform Buick into the new Audi rather quickly.
Buick sales will continue to lag due to the age of the sedan line up. GM has made mega investments around the globe but has failed to update Lacrosse and Regal in a timely manner. This is especially important due to.the weakness of the current Cadillac line up.
The Regal is indeed a great car and should be the benchmark for all future Buicks. That said, its value proposition here doesn’t add up due to the cramped rear seat space. For less, customers get just as good of driving dynamics and nearly the same interior room in the Verano. The solution is to make the Regal (and next-gen Insignia and Malibu) slightly larger, and the LaCrosse larger still. That would add a healthy dose of differentiation between the three Buick sedans.