General Motors sold 2.36 million new vehicles around the world in the first quarter of 2016, a decrease of 2.5 percent year-over-year.
The decrease, according to the automaker, is the result of continued challenging conditions in parts of South America and Asia as well as the softening of the mini-commercial vehicle market in China. Even so, the results were led by strong results in the SUV and luxury segments in China and retail performance in the U.S.
“The quality of GM’s global sales in the key segments and markets in the first quarter is in line with our efforts to drive sustained profitable growth,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “In China, we continued to grow SUV sales and Cadillac expanded in the luxury segment. In the U.S., our disciplined approach to increased retail sales and lower rental fleet resulted in more profitable transactions.”
Results By Market
China
In China, GM and its joint ventures delivered 963,652Â vehicles in the first quarter, an increase of 0.2 percent.
GM’s total SUV sales in the country were up 148 percent, led by the continued success of the Buick Envision and Baojun 560.
Cadillac deliveries in China rose 6.1 percent.
North America
Sales in North America increased 1.2 percent to 798,953Â vehicles. In the U.S., GM continued to grow retail share faster than any other automaker with retail deliveries up 7 percent, or 537,000 vehicles.
Europe
In Europe, sales of Opel and its Vauxhall sister brand increased by 8.4 percent to more than 300,000 vehicles in the first quarter, outperforming the industry growth of only 5 percent.
Opel has received more than 150,000 orders for the new Astra that was recently awarded European “Car of the Year 2016.”
GM International
GMÂ International sales decreased 21.8 percent to 155,674 units.
GMÂ South America
GM South America sales decreased 25.8 percent to 133,243 units.
Sales Results - General Motors - First Quarter 2016 - Global - By Region
Region Q1 2016 Total Sales Q1 YOY Change Q1 Percent Change YTD Total Sales YTD YOY Change YTD Percent Change Total 2,362,057 -59,934 -2.50% 2,362,057 -59,934 -2.50% GM North America 798,953 +9,236 +1.20% 798,953 +9,236 +1.20% GM Europe 310,535 +18,803 +6.40% 310,535 +18,803 +6.40% GM South America 133,243 -46,405 -25.80% 133,243 -46,405 -25.80% GM International 155,674 -43,401 -21.80% 155,674 -43,401 -21.80% GM China 963,652 +1,833 +0.20% 963,652 +1,833 +0.20%
Results By Brand
- Cadillac:
- Global Cadillac sales increased 0.3 percent to 61,162 units, driven by a 6.1 percent increase in China
- Cadillac U.S. Average Transaction Prices (ATP) up 5 percent, leading its competitive set
- Buick:
- Global Buick sales increased 19 percent to 54,667 units
- Buick sales in China increased 22 percent supported by a 112 percent increase in Envision SUV deliveries
- GMC:
- Global GMC sales increased 1.6Â percent to 147,101 units
- Chevrolet:
- Global Chevrolet sales decreased 13.1 percent to 926,370 units
- Chevrolet continued to be best-selling brand in South America
- Chevrolet retail sales in the U.S. increased 10 percent, retail market share increased a full point to an estimated 11 percent
- Chevrolet sales in South Korea increased 14.7 percent
- Opel/Vauxhall:
- Global Opel/Vauxhall sales increase 8.6 percent to 308,982 units
- Holden:
- Sold in Australia and New Zealand, Holden sales decreased 10.10 percent to 25,549 units
- Â Baojun:
- Baojun ales in China increased 82 percent driven by strong demand for the model 560 SUV and model 730 MPV
- Wuling:
- Wuling sales decrease 15.1 percent to 380,744 units as a result of a contraction in the mini commercial vehicle segment in China
Sales Results - General Motors - First Quarter 2016 - Global - By Brand
Brand Q1 2016 Total Sales Q1 YOY Change Q1 Percent Change YTD Total Sales YTD YOY Change YTD Percent Change All Others 8,880 -3,832 -30.10% 8,880 -3,832 -30.10% Chevrolet 926,370 -140,217 -13.10% 926,370 -140,217 -13.10% Buick 340,552 +54,667 +19.10% 340,552 +54,667 +19.10% GMC 147,101 +2,355 +1.60% 147,101 +2,355 +1.60% Cadillac 61,162 +197 +0.30% 61,162 +197 +0.30% Opel/Vauxhall 308,982 +24,512 +8.60% 308,982 +24,512 +8.60% Holden 25,549 -2,870 -10.10% 25,549 -2,870 -10.10% Baojun 162,717 +73,124 +81.60% 162,717 +73,124 +81.60% Wuling 380,744 -67,870 -15.10% 380,744 -67,870 -15.10%
Comments
Cadillac is disappointing. I expected somewhat stronger results. I can only assume that volume will increase significantly starting in the 2nd quarter as production levels for the XT5 and CT6 ramp up.
Good showing by Buick though.
Cadillac has one crossover, which is being phased out, to boot, at a time when crossovers are the single biggest growth area. Cadillac also doesn’t have a subcompact sedan, which is the secokd growth area in the luxury space. And the rest of the lineup is aging.
Considering all that, I would describe Caddy’s performance as pretty good. And as the lineup continues to grow, this should only improve.
Why did the Envision take soooo long to get to the US? Come on man!!!
The real number I would love to see is profits along with this number. That would tell more of the story.
Also as Alex states you have to consider all the factors in play.
As for why the Envision is coming when it is. Well for one they are selling well in China and could sell all they are making. Also The fact little is done in China in February.
Many people do not understand that in February China celebrates the Chinese New Year and generally little productivity takes place and little is exported. I am not sure if this applies to cars but it does to most everything else there.
Here’s the mindset, as expressed by Julie Andrews (y’know, Mary Poppins), that Cadillac still needs to overcome:
Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things..
Cadillacs and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad.