General Motors U.S. Sales Up 0.5 Percent To 203,745 Units In January 2016
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Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 203,745 new vehicles in January 2016, a 0.5 percent increase compared to January 2015. Sales of Buick and GMC were up, while those of Cadillac and Chevrolet were down.
“GM began 2016 in very strong competitive position,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of sales operations. “We built on that momentum in January, with Chevrolet, Buick and GMC outperforming the retail industry by a wide margin. In fact, Chevrolet continues to grow faster than any other full-line brand.”
Like in December, the January sales results were supported by healthy sales across the industry.
“We believe industry fundamentals such as the age of the vehicle fleet, well managed inventory levels, firm used car pricing, good credit availability and low fuel prices will support higher industry sales in 2016,” said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM’s chief economist. “In addition, household balance sheets are strong and the labor market continues to improve.”
January 2016 notes (vs. January 2015, except as noted):
General Motors sales overview:
- Sales types:
- Total sales increased 0.5 percent to 203,745 units
- Commercial deliveries up for 27th consecutive month
- GM grew Commercial sales 6 percent in January after growing sales 38 percent since 2013.
- In January, GM sold nearly 13,000 fewer rental vehicles compared to January 2015, per plan. GM expects another significant reduction in rental deliveries in 2016.
- Retail sales increased 8.9 percent to 163,055 units
- Fleet sales as a percent of sales were down 6.2 percent to 20 percent
- Average Transaction Prices (ATP), based on J.D. Power PIN:
- GM grew ATPs three times faster than the industry average from 2010-2015. In January 2016, ATPs were $33,600, about $3,000 above the industry average.
- GM’s incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 12.4 percent in January, in line with the domestic competitors and lower than some Asian competitors. Industry average spending was 10.7 percent.
- GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in January was 17.5 million units.
- GM’s strong sales dovetailed with a strategic approach to inventories and fleet deliveries:
- GM inventories are disciplined, and the company expects to operate with about a 70 days’ supply throughout the year in most months, with some months higher or lower.
- GM’s Commercial sales are growing and daily rental sales are becoming a smaller part of the overall business.
- As a result of lower rental deliveries, GM expects its fleet mix in 2016 to be about 20 percent, compared with a historical range of 22 – 24 percent.
- Inventory units at mont-end was 629,879 for a 74 days supply (selling day adjusted)
Chevrolet sales were down 3.6 percent to 137,803 units, but the brand enjoyed its best January retail performance since 2005 and its 10th consecutive month of retail sales gains:
- Ten Chevrolet models – Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Colorado, Camaro, Impala, Malibu, Cruze, Sonic and Traverse – grew retail market share in their respective segments.
- Chevy crossover sales were up 5 percent:
- Chevy Trax sales were up 103.7 percent to 3,746 units
- Chevy Equinox sales were down 5 percent to 18,574 units
- Chevy Traverse sales were down 30.9 percent to 7,014 units
- Chevy Truck sales were up 5 percent:
- Chevy Colorado sales were down 7.3 percent to 5,508 units
- Chevy Silverado sales were up 4.9 percent to 37,863 units, its best January total and retail sales since 2007
- Chevy Tahoe sales were down 6.2 percent to 6,199 units, its best January retail sales since 2008
- Chevy Suburban sales were down 20.8 percent to 3,270 units, its best January retail sales since 2008
- Chevy City Express sales were up 21.4 percent to 710 units
- Chevy Express sales were down 18.7 percent to 2,913 units
- Chevy Car sales were up 25 percent:
- Chevy Spark sales were down 64.6 percent to 1,212 units
- Chevy Sonic sales were up 4.5 percent to 3,678 units
- Chevy Cruze sales were down 23.2 percent to 14,362 units, its best January retail sales ever
- Chevy Volt sales were up 83.8 percent to 996 units, its best January retail sales ever
- Chevy Malibu sales were up 24.1 percent to 17,746 units for its best January retail result since 1981. The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu accounted for about half of Malibu sales in January.
- Chevy Impala sales were up 7.9 percent to 9,942 units
- Chevy SS Sedan sales were down 23.5 percent to 88 units
- Chevy Caprice sales were down 83.1 percent to 21 units
- Chevy Camaro sales were up 11.2 percent to 5,551 units; the all-new 2016 Camaro began to arrive at dealers and begin deliveries in December
- Chevy Corvette sales were down 29.4 percent to 1,501 units
Cadillac sales were down 8 percent to 10,740 units:
- The brand maintained the highest ATPs in its history while leading its competitive set
- Cadillac ATS sales were down 39.3 percent to 1,067 units
- Cadillac CTS sales were down 40.3 percent to 1,013 units
- Cadillac ELR sales were down 27.2 percent to 67 units
- Cadillac Escalade sales were down 26.3 percent to 1,227 units and Cadillac Escalade ESV sales were down 29.5 percent to 775 units
- Cadillac SRX sales were up 37.1 percent to 4,778 units, its best January total sales ever
- Cadillac XTS sales were down 3.7 percent to 1,813 units
Buick sales were up 45.5 percent to 18,269 units:
- The results represent the brand’s best January retail performance since 2003, with retail deliveries up 45 percent. Total sales were the best January since 2004
- Combined sales of Buick’s passenger cars were up 73 percent
- Buick Cascada sales totaled 88 units; the compact soft-top convertible is now arriving at Buick dealers
- Buick Enclave sales were up 5.6 percent to 3,692 units
- Buick Encore sales were up 42 percent to 4,920 units for its 25th month of year-over-year growth in both retail and total sales
- Buick LaCrosse sales were up 100.5 percent to 4,057 units for its best January total sales since 2010; the all-new, 2017 Buick LaCrosse will launch later this year
- Buick Regal sales were up 235 percent to 2,653 units
- Buick Verano sales were up 3 percent to 2,859 units
GMC sales were up 3.5 percent to 36,933 units, its best January total and retail sales since 2004:
- GMC Acadia sales were down 8.7 percent to 5,385 units
- GMC Canyon sales were up 2.9 percent to 2,270 units
- GMC Savana sales were up 0.7 percent to 1,500 units
- GMC Sierra sales were up 13.9 percent to 14,381 units
- GMC Terrain sales were down 0.1 percent to 8,835 units
- GMC Yukon sales were down 3.1 percent to 2,567 units and GMC Yukon XL sales were up 1.5 percent to 1,995 units
Sales Results - January 2016 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | JAN 2016 / JAN 2015 | JANUARY 2016 | JANUARY 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAMARO | +11.22% | 5,551 | 4,991 |
| CAPRICE | -83.06% | 21 | 124 |
| CITY EXPRESS | +21.37% | 710 | 585 |
| COLORADO | -7.30% | 5,508 | 5,942 |
| CORVETTE | -29.43% | 1,501 | 2,127 |
| CRUZE | -23.17% | 14,362 | 18,693 |
| EQUINOX | -5.02% | 18,574 | 19,555 |
| EXPRESS | -18.68% | 2,913 | 3,582 |
| IMPALA | +7.90% | 9,942 | 9,214 |
| MALIBU | +24.15% | 14,746 | 11,878 |
| SILVERADO | +4.87% | 37,863 | 36,106 |
| SONIC | +4.46% | 3,678 | 3,521 |
| SPARK | -64.64% | 1,121 | 3,170 |
| SS | -23.48% | 88 | 115 |
| SUBURBAN | -20.82% | 3,270 | 4,130 |
| TAHOE | -6.18% | 6,199 | 6,607 |
| TRAVERSE | -30.90% | 7,014 | 10,151 |
| TRAX | +103.70% | 3,746 | 1,839 |
| VOLT | +83.76% | 996 | 542 |
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -3.55% | 137,803 | 142,882 |
Sales Results - January 2016 - USA - Cadillac
| MODEL | JAN 2016 / JAN 2015 | JANUARY 2016 | JANUARY 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATS | -39.27% | 1,067 | 1,757 |
| CTS | -40.34% | 1,013 | 1,698 |
| ELR | -27.17% | 67 | 92 |
| ESCALADE | -26.26% | 1,227 | 1,664 |
| ESCALADE ESV | -29.55% | 775 | 1,100 |
| SRX | +37.10% | 4,778 | 3,485 |
| XTS | -3.67% | 1,813 | 1,882 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | -8.05% | 10,740 | 11,680 |
Sales Results - January 2016 - USA - Buick
| MODEL | JAN 2016 / JAN 2015 | JANUARY 2016 | JANUARY 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASCADA | * | 88 | * |
| ENCLAVE | +5.58% | 3,692 | 3,497 |
| ENCORE | +41.99% | 4,920 | 3,465 |
| LACROSSE | +100.54% | 4,057 | 2,023 |
| REGAL | +234.97% | 2,653 | 792 |
| VERANO | +2.99% | 2,859 | 2,776 |
| BUICK TOTAL | +45.53% | 18,269 | 12,553 |
Sales Results - January 2016 - USA - GMC
| MODEL | JAN 2016 / JAN 2015 | JANUARY 2016 | JANUARY 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA | -8.70% | 5,385 | 5,898 |
| CANYON | +2.95% | 2,270 | 2,205 |
| SAVANA | +0.74% | 1,500 | 1,489 |
| SIERRA | +13.95% | 14,381 | 12,621 |
| TERRAIN | -0.10% | 8,835 | 8,844 |
| YUKON | -3.10% | 2,567 | 2,649 |
| YUKON XL | +1.53% | 1,995 | 1,965 |
| GMC TOTAL | +3.54% | 36,933 | 35,671 |
Sales Results - January 2016 - USA - GM Totals
| BRAND | JAN 2016 / JAN 2015 | JANUARY 2016 | JANUARY 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -3.55% | 137,803 | 142,882 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | -8.05% | 10,740 | 11,680 |
| BUICK TOTAL | +45.53% | 18,269 | 12,553 |
| GMC TOTAL | +3.54% | 36,933 | 35,671 |
| GM USA TOTAL | +0.47% | 203,745 | 202,786 |
About The Numbers
- 24 selling days for January 2016 and 26 for January 2015
- Totals contain the discontinued Cadillac Escalade EXT
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I expected a pretty flat January after a strong finish to a record breaking 2015 plus the snow storm in the northeast but really surprised by Buick’s 45% jump.
Good for them but what gives?
With new product roll outs, Chevrolet should move up into a near second place Toyota-like position.
Buick/GMC is a premium sales powerhouse with volume surpassing many value brands. It would seem that Buick & GMC sales growth may be more important than Cadillac due to the low and spread out development costs.
In spite of GM retail sales being up, Cadillac didn’t contribute anything . Their retail sales were down 27.3% from last year. Those SUV/CUVs can’t come quickly enough!
Cadillac sales are down but they are still maintaining a high ATP.
With the new XT5 especially plus the CT6 the sales will rebound quite nicely before the calvalry of crossovers arrive.
Thank heavens for the Escalades for being the primary driver on the ATP bump.
Picking up a CTS on Thursday with $6,750 in incentives. Sure that is not doing much to pump up the profit levels on the cars!
Escalade sales were off over 25% so I am not sure how much they were a part of the growth.
They weren’t down as much as the ATS and CTS.
As an aside: the Escalade is the only Cadillac nameplate that 1) has been around for several generations and 2) has been respected throughout its lifecycle. It has built significant equity in the name, leading to desirability.
Can’t say the same about the ATS and CTS. But with continuous product excellence plus effective and consistent marketing, they will get there. Just as soon as they switch to being CT#…
Agree that the Escalade has built up significant brand equity and has easily more desirability than any other Cadillac nameplate to the point that it will be the only Cadillac that will not carry the new model naming structure.
Cadillac is smart enough not to mess with its cash cow. Having said that it has only been around for 4 years longer than the CTS and 1 more generation so age alone does not explain it’s relative popularity and appeal.
The Escalade has a character, boldness and a perceived excess not shared with any other Cadillac product right now. I think the CT6 is a step in the right direction but more likely the CT7 or CT8 have a better chance of achieving a similar status.
Better yet something along the line of the Elmiraj or Ciel is necessary to create the desirability currently enjoyed by the Escalade.
Agree wholeheartedly.
Believe that is part of the issue with the CTS. The CTS was a relatively good car(at least the two 2nd generations I had) but when they brought out the current generation they probably should have named it something else. Most of the folks looking to replace their 1st or 2nd generation CTS was just floored when they priced the new CTS. Many of those folks walked and some will probably not return to Cadillac again.
Chevy Volt sales were down 83.8 percent to 996 units, its best January retail sales ever
Chart says UP
That was our mistake. Thanks for the heads up. Fixed!
Buick caught my attention with the 16% off sale on “older” inventory, plus a boost on my GM points. I purchased a Regal Premium II very well optioned for a very, very good price. Sure that’s an outgoing model, but still a great vehicle that will give me many years of enjoyable transportation. Maybe other buyers were similarly drawn in by this promotion?
See my post above. Sure the lofty incentives were a big driver in Buick results.Sadly Caddy offered some lofty incentives on specifically the CTS and nothing appeared to happen. Regal is great car with fantastic reputation. Go take a look in CR. Enjoy it.
Thanks, Martin- I will! You are right on target in your observation above regarding the CTS incentives. I was stunned at the value of my purchase.
most of Cadillac sale are down….I believe that its because A&S has gone stale that’s one of the reasons.
Rye – you keep stating this opinion whenever Cadillac sales decrease. But you are woefully incorrect.
The Cadillac design language is the single biggest advantage it currently has, since it is so different than what is offered by the competition. And badges withheld, the designs usually perform better in studies/clinics than those of German and Japanese rivals. The only one that has begun to rank very close is Lexus, since it is so dramatic and “out there”.
On top of that, Cadillac sales grew significantly in December. Would you say that A&S was popular during that month but then people stopped liking it during January, so they bought less Cadillacs? I hope not. Instead, what’s really happening is Cadillac is facing some very tough competition with only one crossover and without a subcompact vehicle — both of which are huge growth segments for it. On top of that, the ATS and CTS are getting stale in light of new or redesigned entrants in those segments.
It will take time to turn the brand around. It’s a long-term play. And it will ultimately be worth it… in the long run. But to conclude that sales are down in a single given month due to factors related to the supposed dislike of styling by consumers is, well, nonsense.
The SRX has been a money maker for GM . Let’s hope the XT5 does as well . It’s a crowded field out there .
There is reason why it will not. It has been updated and improved in all measurable ways. There is still a loyal following for the model and if the 6 year SRX can continually increase it’s volume then the XT5 will be just fine.
It will continue to be the driving factor in Cadillac’s growth in all it’s key markets.
Even though overall fleet sales were down, a significant portion of the Regal and Lacrosse totals must be fleet deliveries. Regal averaged about 1500 units for Jan. thru Nov. 2015, then 2500+ in Dec. and Jan.
Sort of doubt fleet sales drove the increase. In the press release above indicates retail sales were up 45%.
Buick had a very nice promotion with 16% off models that were in stock awhile. Thinking that was probably a fairly good incentive.
Martin – the Buick promotion you’re referring to was only on a few select in-stock models (trim levels) with specific equipment. In other words, the amount of vehicles you could apply them to was very low.
Alex- in my area, there were a moderate number of vehicles that were offered at 16% off. They were spread out over a number of locations, but the dealer I worked with had one sent to them. The Regal I got matched what I wanted quite closely, but there were a few others that would have been acceptable at that discount. You are right, however, probably not enough of them nationally to make a huge surge in Buick sales. I’d be interested to see if there are any statistics on this.
Whatever the case, I’m definitely very happy with this promotion.
Now, if GM builds the Buick Avista, it will sell like hotcakes!
Although the Avista is a stunning vehicle I do not agree that it would necessarily be a shoe in as a sales success.
My prediction is that, if built, the Avista would sell at about half of the volume of the Chevy Camaro, because:
1. It will (likely) be more expensive
2. It will appeal to a niche market
That said, what it will do is take one big step towards changing perceptions of the brand.
If it is built (and that is a BIG if) then it will sell significantly less than half of the Camaro volumes. Outside of the novelty of the first year production because it will be more expensive than the Camaro it will start to encroach on ATS pricing which will be it’s death knell.
That is a big IF indeed. But if built, I see it appealing to an entirely different audience than the ATS… which itself will get larger and more expensive as it enters its second generation/ATS 2.0.