Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 258,626 new vehicles in October 2016, a 1.7 percent decrease compared to October 2015. Cumulative sales of the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands decreased, while those of Buick increased on a year-over-year basis.
The biggest news for the month is that The General sold 208,290 vehicles in October to individual or “retail” customers in the U.S., a 3 percent increase from October 2015 despite two fewer selling days. Based on initial estimates, GM outperformed the entire U.S. retail industry by a wide margin.
“GM’s October performance reflects the strength of our retail business and our operating discipline. We gained profitable retail share in October while spending less than the industry average on incentives and commanding the industry’s best average transaction prices for any full-line automaker,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s vice president of U.S. sales operations. “We will continue our disciplined approach and focus on retail in a strong industry.”
In addition, GM continues to benefit from a strong U.S. economy.
“Key fundamentals like job security, rising personal incomes, low fuel prices and low interest rates continue to provide the environment for a very healthy U.S. auto industry,” said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM’s chief economist. “The U.S. auto industry is well positioned for sales to continue at or near record levels for the foreseeable future.”
Sales Summary - October 2016 - General Motors - USA
| Sales | Sales Mix | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 258,626 | 262,993 | -1.7% | -4,367 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0% |
| Sale Type | October 2016 | October 2015 | October 2016 / October 2015 | October 2016 - October 2015 | October 2016 | October 2015 | October 2016 - October 2015 |
| Retail | 208,290 | 203,166 | +2.5% | +5,124 | 80.5% | 77.3% | +3.2% |
| Fleet | 50,336 | 59,827 | -15.9% | -9,491 | 19.5% | 22.7% | -3.2% |
October 2016 sales notes and items of interest (vs. October 2015, except as noted):
General Motors sales overview:
Sale types:
- Retail sales increased 2.5 percent or 5,125 vehicles to 258,626 units, accounting for 80.5 percent of total sales. The results enabled GM’s retail market share to rise to its highest October level since 2009. According to initial estimates, GM’s retail market share jumped 1.6 percentage points to 18.1 percent, the largest retail market share gain of any manufacturer. The automaker has gained retail market share in 16 of the past 19 months.
- Chevrolet retail sales were up 6 percent to 141,641 units, representing the brand’s best October since 2004. The brand gained 1.4 percentage points of U.S. retail market share during the month to 12.3 percent, having gained U.S. retail market share in 9 out of 10 months this year, remaining the industry’s fastest-growing full-line brand.
- GMC retail sales were down 6.6 percent to 37,039 units. The brand set an all-time October record for its ATPs (Average Transaction Prices) of $43,988, up more than $1,800 over last October’s performance.
- Buick retail sales were up 7 percent to 17,366 units, its best October since 2003. The brand gained 0.2 percentage points of retail market share in October.
- Cadillac retail sales were down 7.9 percent to 12,244 units.
- Fleet sales totaled 50,336 units, down 15.9 percent or 9,491 units over October 2015, accounting for 19.5 percent of total sales, down 3.2 percent over October 2015.
- GM’s daily rental sales were down approximately 8,000 vehicles or about 19 percent in October compared to last year, as planned. Year-to-date, daily rentail sales are down 29 percent.
- Commercial fleet was up 13 percent compared to September 2016 and up 3 percent selling-day-adjusted year-over-year
- Federal Government sales up 53 percent
Average Transaction Prices (ATPs) & Incentive Spending:
- ATPs based on J.D. Power PIN estimates:
- GM’s ATPs, which reflect retail transaction prices after sales incentives, were $36,155 in October, over $4,650 above the industry average and more than $1,000 above last October’s performance.
- GM’s incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 11.7 percent, below the industry average of 11.8 percent.
Inventory:
- October month-end inventory was 834,201 units for an 84 days supply, an increase of 48,687 units and 5 days from the 785,514 units and 79 days supply at the end of September 2016
SAAR:
- GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in October was approximately 18 million units. On a calendar-year-to-date basis, GM estimates the light vehicle SAAR was 17.4 million units.
Chevrolet sales decreased 0.8 percent to 181,964 units:
- Chevrolet Camaro sales increased 18.68 percent to 6,277 units
- Chevrolet Caprice sales decreased 3.87 percent to 149 units
- Chevrolet Colorado sales increased 49.85 percent to 10,578 units
- Chevrolet Commercial Truck sales, comprised of Chevrolet City Express sales and Chevrolet Low Cab Forward sales, totaled 286 units
- Chevrolet Corvette sales increased 3.96 percent to 2,626 units
- Chevrolet Cruze sales increased 9.01 percent to 17,126 units
- Chevrolet Equinox sales decreased 10.97 percent to 19,664 units
- Chevrolet Express sales decreased 15.26 percent to 5,459 units
- Chevrolet Impala sales decreased 48.39 percent to 6,092 units
- Chevrolet Malibu sales decreased 34.68 percent to 16,151 units
- Chevrolet SS sales increased 188.54 percent to 554 units
- Chevrolet Silverado sales decreased 3.64 percent to 49,768 units
- Chevrolet Sonic sales increased 42.35 percent to 4,689 units
- Chevrolet Spark sales increased 3.2 percent to 2,066 units
- Chevrolet Suburban sales increased 85.5 percent to 6,650 units
- Chevrolet Tahoe sales increased 80.8 percent to 11,976 units
- Chevrolet Traverse sales increased 19.98 percent to 10,984 units
- Chevrolet Trax sales increased 6.15 percent to 8,678 units
- Chevrolet Volt sales increased 7.67 percent to 2,191 units
Cadillac sales decreased 9.4 percent to 13,948 units:
- Cadillac ATS sales decreased 36.99 percent to 1,593 units
- Cadillac CT6 sales totaled 1,316 units
- Cadillac CTS sales decreased 34.65 percent to 1,024 units
- Cadillac ELR sales decreased 96.34 percent to 3 units
- Cadillac Escalade sales increased 8.16 percent to 1,988 units
- Cadillac Escalade ESV sales increased 10.66 percent to 1,453 units
- Cadillac SRX sales decreased 98.04 percent to 118 units
- Cadillac XT5 sales totaled 4,989 units
- Cadillac XTS sales decreased 28.34 percent to 1,464 units
Buick sales increased 7.4 percent to 20,046 units:
- Buick Cascada sales totaled 361 units
- Buick Enclave sales decreased 14.57 percent to 4,017 units
- Buick Encore sales increased 8.01 percent to 7,164 units
- Buick Envision sales totaled 2,351 units
- Buick LaCrosse sales decreased 16.02 percent to 2,500 units
- Buick Regal sales decreased 20.42 percent to 1,317 units
- Buick Verano sales decreased 13.26 percent to 2,336 units
GMC sales decreased 6.2 percent to 42,668 units:
- GMC Acadia sales increased 23.69 percent to 8,569 units
- GMC Canyon sales increased 15.32 percent to 2,785 units
- GMC Savana sales decreased 44.93 percent to 760 units
- GMC Sierra sales decreased 18.74 percent to 15,050 units
- GMC Terrain sales decreased 36.34 percent to 6,358 units
- GMC Yukon sales increased 61.05 percent to 5,677 units
- GMC Yukon XL sales increased 27.44 percent to 3,469 units
Sales Results - October 2016 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | OCT 2016 / OCT 2015 | OCTOBER 2016 | OCTOBER 2015 | YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 | YTD 2016 | YTD 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMARO | +18.68% | 6,277 | 5,289 | -9.01% | 60,812 | 66,833 |
| CAPRICE | -3.87% | 149 | 155 | -50.38% | 709 | 1,429 |
| COLORADO | +49.85% | 10,578 | 7,059 | +28.93% | 90,625 | 70,291 |
| COMMERCIAL TRUCK | * | 286 | * | * | 6,036 | * |
| CORVETTE | +3.96% | 2,626 | 2,526 | -12.37% | 25,345 | 28,924 |
| CRUZE | +9.01% | 17,126 | 15,710 | -19.90% | 155,138 | 193,680 |
| EQUINOX | -10.97% | 19,664 | 22,086 | -18.10% | 193,400 | 236,128 |
| EXPRESS | -15.26% | 5,459 | 6,442 | +9.00% | 55,210 | 50,650 |
| IMPALA | -48.39% | 6,092 | 11,805 | -17.62% | 80,130 | 97,271 |
| MALIBU | -34.68% | 16,151 | 24,725 | +8.53% | 186,540 | 171,886 |
| SILVERADO | -3.64% | 49,768 | 51,647 | -3.50% | 475,324 | 492,551 |
| SONIC | +42.35% | 4,689 | 3,294 | -14.92% | 45,798 | 53,829 |
| SPARK | +3.20% | 2,066 | 2,002 | -0.32% | 29,747 | 29,841 |
| SS | +188.54% | 554 | 192 | +3.60% | 2,707 | 2,613 |
| SUBURBAN | +85.50% | 6,650 | 3,585 | +16.88% | 45,932 | 39,300 |
| TAHOE | +80.80% | 11,976 | 6,624 | +14.89% | 81,976 | 71,352 |
| TRAVERSE | +19.98% | 10,984 | 9,155 | -4.89% | 97,126 | 102,118 |
| TRAX | +6.15% | 8,678 | 8,175 | +22.60% | 62,802 | 51,226 |
| VOLT | +7.67% | 2,191 | 2,035 | +63.88% | 18,517 | 11,299 |
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -0.82% | 181,964 | 183,464 | -3.70% | 1,713,876 | 1,779,646 |
Sales Results - October 2016 - USA - Cadillac
| MODEL | OCT 2016 / OCT 2015 | OCTOBER 2016 | OCTOBER 2015 | YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 | YTD 2016 | YTD 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATS | -36.99% | 1,593 | 2,528 | -17.05% | 17,723 | 21,367 |
| CT6 | * | 1,316 | * | * | 6,707 | * |
| CTS | -34.65% | 1,024 | 1,567 | -16.74% | 13,172 | 15,820 |
| ELR | -96.34% | 3 | 82 | -36.01% | 526 | 822 |
| ESCALADE | +8.16% | 1,988 | 1,838 | +7.75% | 18,119 | 16,815 |
| ESCALADE ESV | +10.66% | 1,453 | 1,313 | +4.74% | 12,009 | 11,466 |
| SRX | -98.04% | 118 | 6,020 | -61.39% | 21,904 | 56,732 |
| XT5 | * | 4,989 | * | * | 26,685 | * |
| XTS | -28.34% | 1,464 | 2,043 | -9.28% | 16,389 | 18,066 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | -9.38% | 13,948 | 15,391 | -5.57% | 133,234 | 141,090 |
Sales Results - October 2016 - USA - Buick
| MODEL | OCT 2016 / OCT 2015 | OCTOBER 2016 | OCTOBER 2015 | YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 | YTD 2016 | YTD 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASCADA | * | 361 | * | * | 6,157 | * |
| ENCLAVE | -14.57% | 4,017 | 4,702 | -13.14% | 44,720 | 51,487 |
| ENCORE | +8.01% | 7,164 | 6,633 | +13.82% | 63,648 | 55,918 |
| ENVISION | * | 2,351 | * | * | 8,477 | * |
| LACROSSE | -16.02% | 2,500 | 2,977 | -37.15% | 22,329 | 35,526 |
| REGAL | -20.42% | 1,317 | 1,655 | +6.45% | 16,778 | 15,761 |
| VERANO | -13.26% | 2,336 | 2,693 | +0.03% | 27,704 | 27,695 |
| BUICK TOTAL | +7.43% | 20,046 | 18,660 | +1.84% | 189,813 | 186,387 |
Sales Results - October 2016 - USA - GMC
| MODEL | OCT 2016 / OCT 2015 | OCTOBER 2016 | OCTOBER 2015 | YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 | YTD 2016 | YTD 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA | +23.69% | 8,569 | 6,928 | -18.51% | 67,109 | 82,351 |
| CANYON | +15.32% | 2,785 | 2,415 | +20.73% | 29,991 | 24,841 |
| SAVANA | -44.93% | 760 | 1,380 | -17.53% | 14,656 | 17,772 |
| SIERRA | -18.74% | 15,050 | 18,521 | -0.38% | 179,490 | 180,174 |
| TERRAIN | -36.34% | 6,358 | 9,987 | -20.47% | 74,270 | 93,382 |
| YUKON | +61.05% | 5,677 | 3,525 | +22.26% | 41,002 | 33,536 |
| YUKON XL | +27.44% | 3,469 | 2,722 | +16.57% | 27,582 | 23,661 |
| GMC TOTAL | -6.18% | 42,668 | 45,478 | -4.74% | 434,100 | 455,717 |
Sales Results - October 2016 - USA - GM Totals
| BRAND | OCT 2016 / OCT 2015 | OCTOBER 2016 | OCTOBER 2015 | YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 | YTD 2016 | YTD 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -0.82% | 181,964 | 183,464 | -3.70% | 1,713,876 | 1,779,646 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | -9.38% | 13,948 | 15,391 | -5.57% | 133,234 | 141,090 |
| BUICK TOTAL | +7.43% | 20,046 | 18,660 | +1.84% | 189,813 | 186,387 |
| GMC TOTAL | -6.18% | 42,668 | 45,478 | -4.74% | 434,100 | 455,717 |
| GM USA TOTAL | -1.66% | 258,626 | 262,993 | -3.58% | 2,471,023 | 2,562,840 |
About The Numbers
- There were 26 selling days in October 2016 and 28 selling days in October 2015
- Chevrolet totals include discontinued Captiva Sport
- Starting in September 2016, GM began reporting sales of the Chevrolet City Express and Low Cab Forward on a single line entitled Commercial Truck
Further Reading & Sales Reporting
- GM news
- GM sales results
- October 2016 GM sales results (U.S.)
- October 2016 Chevrolet sales results
- October 2016 Cadillac sales results
- October 2016 Buick sales results
- October 2016 GMC sales results
- October 2016 GM China sales results
- October 2016 GM Canada sales results
- Global October 2016 Cadillac sales results
- October 2016 GM sales results (U.S.)
Comments
Any information on Cadillac’s ATPs compared to the other major luxury brands? They were higher than the others in past months, and I am curious if that trend has continued (especially with falling sales).
Not yet. This will be out in the next few days, so stay tuned.
With the escalade accounting for roughly 25% of Cadillac’s sales, ATP will always be high. That does not necessarily means that Cadillac average profit per unit is superior to its competitors. I am sure Cadillac would be happy with a lower ATP if they could sell a lot more ATS
I suspect the profit per escalade is crazy high. They are built on a shared platform, the volume is decent, and the price is pretty steep. Ad budget isn’t that high either. The segment also isn’t as cutthroat as entry level luxury cars.
It’s the other stuff at Cadillac that may be less profitable.
While it may not be to the Escalade level the profits per unit are only surpassed by the Trucks.
I have not seen but they should still be good. They have not dropped prices and just repackaged some options.
All hail midsize trucks, crossovers, and SUVs. They must have made a ton this month given volume, price, and incentive %.
How is inventory up that much given those sales figures? Too many cars on lots? Would be curious to see a split by model or type.
The inventory gains appear to be cyclical, since some plants are going to be slowed/shut down during the upcoming New Year/Christmas holidays.
The most concerning item for me is XT5 sales. Combination YTD sales of SRX and XT5 is substantially under SRX previous year and down over same month last year. This in light of it being a new SUV. Really don’t think it is attributable to availability since inventory was 67 days as of October 1. Sure hope this turns around.
Completely agree. That has been the ongoing trend. Only the addition of the volume from the Chinese market allows XT5 to outpace the form SRX volume from a year ago at this time.
There is something wrong. The XT5 does not seem to be as well received as the SRX. Possibly the gap in competitiveness between the XT5 is greater than that of the gap when the SRX was around.
Cadillac needs to bring out other versions of the XT5 like V-Sport and ultra luxury models. Also consider a 2.0T version with a lower base price to push volume.
Cadillac was piling on the incentives to unload the SRX over the past year or two, so the price has jumped on that alone, likely giving sticker shock to some.
Personally, I preferred the sharper styling of the SRX, particularly in the rear, to the softened lines of the XT5. Perhaps others feel that way as well.
my mother owns an SRX and they gave her an XT5 as a rental while her car was in the shop, all i heard was how much she hated it, they say its bigger but she felt cramped and she said the visibility was awful.
Malibu is off to a very weak start. Considering that Car and Driver now ranks Malibu above Accord, one should expect better sales.
Even with sedans down Malibu should be picking up a handful Nissan, Ford and Toyota shoppers.
This Malibu is a fantastic ride in a segment filled with unresponsive dullness. It blows Fusion and Camary away.
Maybe it was time to retire the Malibu name plate? Chevrolet Cutless anyone?
October 2015 was a crazy sales month for the bu. Better to focus on the annual trend. Plus they sold a lot in September 2016 since I think the factory incentives were better.
I suspect GM would be happy if the car were up 8 percent over last year in a world where mid size car sales are down 11 percent YTD per good car bad car.
Nothing to do with the Malibu. They could be selling the Cadillac CTS as a Chevy at the Malibu price point and sales would still be where they are thanks to the insatiable crossover boom. thr market for sedans is weakened at the moment. As soon as gas prices start creeping up, that will all change on a dime. The point is to have class-leading, highly-competitive vehicles across the board, and be ready to alter supply/production quickly and efficiently, which GM is doing now and will continue to well into the future.
I expect to see a lot of automakers try to reinvent the sedan whether this means lift backs for more storage/dramatic styling or more Crosstour/X3/modern day AMC design.
The sedan is far from dead, but I do think that new, white space options will appear. GM should be trying this with be more than Insignia, & do so before FCA begins using Chrysler or Dodge as a space to repurpose Jeeps on the cheap.
The reality is the consumer, more and more, wants a crossover (even a smaller one) than they want a sedan or a minivan.
Plenty of companies have sold and do sell wagons/hatches. For whatever reason, people want a dozen RAV4s and Equinoxes before they want a Malibu hatchback.
Based upon recent GMA post on retail vs fleet Malibu retail sales were up 39% vs last year so GM must have dumped one large volume of fleet sales last year?
No comment on the Camaro sales numbers from the naysayers? It must be the poor visibility & evolutionary styling bringing those numbers up…
I realize they added some incentives last month to help things along but regardless what some say, that car is a looker & a world class performer.
Some incentives? The camaro number in October is like the impala number in June or the Malibu number in September. GM cleared some inventory out with 20 percent off MSRP.
We are ten months into the year…look at the overall trend. 70k units for a sports car is fine. We just aren’t in a two seat sports car world anymore.
IT breaks my heart to see the ATS doing so poorly. I’m really enjoying mine..it’s been a great car the past two and a half years. A true drivers car..I only wish I got the V6 instead of the 2.0 turbo
Partially agree with you as far as being a drivers car. Also agree with you that 3.6 being better alternative to 2.0 turbo–much more refined engine. Glad I drove 2.0 before ordering my 2014 ATS Premium AWD and going with the 3.6.
Glad you have enjoyed yours because I did not enjoy mine–borderline junk–service bay queen!
I’m glad to see that the Chevy Equinox has recovered its standing as GM’s second best selling vehicle. It is way past time for GM to add an EREV Equinox model for the 2018 model year.
The retail sales are up overall so that’s good. There are some models seeing declines. The Lambdas and Thetas are now in an abbreviated model year because new stuff is coming and some buyers are waiting. The XT5 is doing very well and not selling on price like the SRX did late in its life. Sedans are all slumping but the fact that GM has slashed sales to rental companies of much actually amplifies that the product is really strong. The key is to not let product get stale.
You know Cadillac is doing something wrong when GMC sold more cars and has fewer models.