General Motors reported 244,406 new vehicle deliveries in April 2017 for the U.S. market, a 5.8 percent decrease compared to April 2016. Sales were down at Chevrolet and GMC and up at Buick and Cadillac. It’s important to note that there was one fewer selling day in April 2017 compared to April 2016. As such, selling-day-adjusted sales were about 4 percentage points higher than reported sales.
“We see crossovers becoming an even bigger part of the industry and GM sales over the next five years,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Just five years ago, about one in four GM sales were crossovers. Today, they account for almost one-third of our deliveries and we see more growth ahead.”
The sales figures were primarily driven by exceptionally strong crossover sales at Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. In April, Chevrolet dealers delivered 4,500 all-new 2018 Chevy Equinox compact crossovers with the 1.5L turbo engine, as the 2.0L turbo model will arrive this summer followed by a diesel model. The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse full-size crossover will arrive during the summer. In addition, GMC dealers will begin delivering the all-new 2018 GM Terrain compact crossover in late summer and Buick dealers will roll out the new 2018 Buick Enclave full-size crossover in the fall.
In the first four months of 2017, GM U.S. sales have increased 1 percent to 933,927 units.
“When you look at the broader economy, including a strong job market, rising wages, low inflation and low interest rates, and couple them to low fuel prices and strong consumer confidence, you have everything you need for auto sales to weather headwinds and remain at or near historic highs,” said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM chief economist.
Sales Summary - April 2017 - General Motors - USA
| Sales | Sales Mix | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 244,406 | 259,557 | -5.8% | -15,151 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Sale Type | April 2017 | April 2016 | April 2017 / April 2016 | April 2017 - April 2016 | April 2017 | April 2016 |
| Retail | 191,911 | 200,656 | -4.4% | -8,745 | 78.5% | 77.3% |
| Fleet | 52,495 | 58,901 | -10.9% | -6,406 | 21.5% | 22.7% |
GM U.S. April 2017 Sales Notes
General Motors sales overview:
Sale types:
- Total sales volume decreased 5.8 percent to 244,406 units
- Retail sales volume decreased 4.4 percent or 8,745 vehicles to 191,911 units, accounting for 78.5 percent of total April 2017 sales compared to 77.3 percent in April 2016.
- Chevrolet retail sales decreased 7.5 percent to 124,535 units
- GMC retail sales decreased 4.8 percent to 37,509 units
- Buick retail sales increased 14.8 percent to 18,743 units
- Cadillac retail sales increased 7.2 percent to 11,124 units
- Selling-day-adjusted retail sales were essentially equal to a year ago. As such, GM expects to gain retail market share for the month, with industry volumes about equal to a year ago, adjusted for one fewer selling day.
- Fleet sales volume decreased 10.9 percent or 6,406 units to 52,495 units, accounting for 21.5 percent of total April 2017 sales compared to 22.7 percent in April 2016. Selling-day adjusted, fleet sales were down 7 percent.
- Daily rental deliveries were down 20 percent, as planned
- Commercial and Government deliveries were higher than rental deliveries in the first four months of the year and Commercial and Government market share is up versus the industry.
- GM is on track to deliver its third consecutive year of year-over-year decline in rental volume and mix.
Average Transaction Prices (ATPs) & Incentive Spending:
- GM’s incentive spending in April was 11.7 percent according to J.D Power PIN estimates, which was below the company’s first quarter average of 14.1 percent and March’s level of 13.6 percent
- Spending as a percentage of average transaction price (ATP) was lower than domestic and many Asian competitors, which was the case throughout 2016
- April ATPs were approximately $35,000, up more than $600 per unit compared to the first quarter of 2017
Inventory:
- April month-end inventory was 935,758 units for a 100-day supply, representing:
- An increase of 9,588 units from the 926,170 units at the end of March 2017
- An increase of 2 days from the 98 days supply at the end of March 2017
GM’s inventories reflect strong sales, lower car production and strategic, launch-related growth in truck and crossover stocks. The company expects to end 2017 at essentially the same inventory levels as 2016 on a days’ supply basis, but with fewer cars and more trucks and crossovers in stock.
SAAR:
- The seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles was 17.0 million vehicles in April 2017. The SAAR is 17.1 million units for 2017 calendar-year-to-date.
Chevrolet sales decreased 10.4 percent to 164,367 units:
- Chevrolet Bolt EV sales totaled 1,292 units
- Chevrolet Camaro sales increased 17.17 percent to 8,737 units
- Chevrolet Caprice sales increased 238.89 percent to 61 units
- Chevrolet Colorado sales decreased 11.01 percent to 9,221 units
- Chevrolet Commercial Truck sales totaled 739 units
- Chevrolet Corvette sales decreased 12.29 percent to 2,756 units
- Chevrolet Cruze sales increased 50.62 percent to 21,317 units
- Cruze retail deliveries were up 24 percent
- Chevrolet Equinox sales increased 0.23 percent to 20,655 units, of which 4,500 were of the all-new 2018 Chevy Equinox
- Equinox retail deliveries were up 23 percent
- Chevrolet Express sales increased 3.18 percent to 6,871 units
- Chevrolet Impala sales decreased 61.05 percent to 3,213 units
- Chevrolet Malibu sales decreased 20.21 percent to 17,364 units
- Chevrolet SS sales decreased 57.77 percent to 250 units
- Chevrolet Silverado sales decreased 19.68 percent to 40,154 units
- Chevrolet Sonic sales decreased 67.76 percent to 1,645 units
- Chevrolet Spark sales decreased 44.84 percent to 1,700 units
- Chevrolet Suburban sales decreased 24.39 percent to 3,228 units
- Chevrolet Tahoe sales decreased 1.83 percent to 7,411 units
- Chevrolet Traverse sales decreased 22.56 percent to 9,437 units
- Traverse retail deliveries were up 19 percent
- The crossover had its best April and calendar year to date sales ever on a retail basis
- Chevrolet Trax sales increased 44.32 percent to 6,509 units
- Trax retail deliveries were up 45 percent
- The crossover had its best April and calendar year to date sales on both a total and retail basis
- Chevrolet Volt sales decreased 8.88 percent to 1,807 units
- Chevrolet crossover sales set a new April and calendar year to date record for both total and retail sales
Cadillac sales increased 9.5 percent to 12,300 units:
- Cadillac ATS sales decreased 19.11 percent to 1,405 units
- Cadillac CT6 sales increased 243.16 percent to 978 units
- Cadillac CTS sales decreased 34.61 percent to 873 units
- Cadillac ELR sales decreased 97.89 percent to 2 units
- Cadillac Escalade sales decreased 17.75 percent to 1,487 units
- Cadillac Escalade ESV sales decreased 6.51 percent to 1,121 units
- Cadillac XT5 sales increased 1709.54 percent to 5,501 units
- Year to date retail deliveries of the XT5 were 25 percent higher than the outgoing SRX
- Calendar year to date, XT5 ATPs are up more than $3,300 year over year compared to the SRX
- Cadillac XTS sales decreased 39.91 percent to 914 units
- Cadillac SRX sales decreased 99.36 percent to 19 units; the model has been replaced by the XT5
Buick sales increased 17 percent to 20,735 units:
- Buick Cascada sales decreased 36.51 percent to 692 units
- Buick Enclave sales decreased 20.8 percent to 3,582 units
- Enclave retail deliveries rose 4 percent
- The all-new, 2018 Buick Enclave is coming later this year
- Buick Encore sales increased 26.95 percent to 8,365 units
- The Encore had its best month ever in April
- Its total and retail sales have now been up year over year for eight consecutive months
- Buick Envision sales totaled 4,297 units
- Envision retail sales tallied 3,576 units, its best month since launch
- Buick LaCrosse sales increased 9.38 percent to 1,983 units
- Buick Regal sales decreased 12.48 percent to 1,143 units
- Buick Verano sales decreased 71.95 percent to 673 units
- Buick had its best April retail sales in 15 years and its best April total sales since 2005
GMC sales decreased 0.3 percent to 47,004 units:
- GMC Acadia sales increased 45.12 percent to 10,164 units for its best April ever
- Acadia retail deliveries increased 42 percent
- The Acadia has gained a full point of retail segment share in 2017 driven by the all-new design launched last year, for the 2017 model year
- GMC Canyon sales decreased 21.74 percent to 2,368 units
- GMC Savana sales increased 6.36 percent to 3,629 units
- GMC Sierra sales decreased 15.25 percent to 17,400 units
- GMC Terrain sales increased 14.32 percent to 8,396 units
- GMC Yukon sales decreased 8.84 percent to 3,030 units
- GMC Yukon XL sales decreased 19.9 percent to 2,017 units
- Denali models had their best month ever, with close to one-third of all GMC deliveries being Denalis, including half of all Sierra HDs
Sales Results - April 2017 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | APR 2017 / APR 2016 | APRIL 2017 | APRIL 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | * | 1,292 | * | * | 4,384 | * |
| CAMARO | +17.17% | 8,737 | 7,457 | -7.69% | 24,035 | 26,038 |
| CAPRICE | +238.89% | 61 | 18 | -15.27% | 172 | 203 |
| COLORADO | -11.01% | 9,221 | 10,362 | -4.25% | 31,579 | 32,982 |
| COMMERCIAL TRUCK | * | 739 | * | * | 2,611 | * |
| CORVETTE | -12.29% | 2,756 | 3,142 | -10.01% | 8,560 | 9,512 |
| CRUZE | +50.62% | 21,317 | 14,153 | +46.40% | 75,240 | 51,394 |
| EQUINOX | +0.23% | 20,655 | 20,607 | +3.58% | 83,364 | 80,486 |
| EXPRESS | +3.18% | 6,871 | 6,659 | +10.39% | 22,270 | 20,174 |
| IMPALA | -61.05% | 3,213 | 8,249 | -34.97% | 25,235 | 38,803 |
| MALIBU | -20.21% | 17,364 | 21,763 | -34.53% | 52,369 | 79,985 |
| SILVERADO | -19.68% | 40,154 | 49,990 | -5.77% | 168,621 | 178,955 |
| SONIC | -67.76% | 1,645 | 5,102 | -47.74% | 9,265 | 17,729 |
| SPARK | -44.84% | 1,700 | 3,082 | +7.32% | 8,840 | 8,237 |
| SS | -57.77% | 250 | 592 | +57.29% | 1,779 | 1,131 |
| SUBURBAN | -24.39% | 3,228 | 4,269 | +11.54% | 16,673 | 14,948 |
| TAHOE | -1.83% | 7,411 | 7,549 | +7.76% | 30,064 | 27,900 |
| TRAVERSE | -22.56% | 9,437 | 12,186 | -0.81% | 38,789 | 39,105 |
| TRAX | +44.32% | 6,509 | 4,510 | +36.37% | 24,870 | 18,237 |
| VOLT | -8.88% | 1,807 | 1,983 | +23.45% | 7,370 | 5,970 |
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -10.40% | 164,367 | 183,442 | -3.06% | 636,090 | 656,172 |
Sales Results - April 2017 - USA - Cadillac
| MODEL | APR 2017 / APR 2016 | APRIL 2017 | APRIL 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATS | -19.11% | 1,405 | 1,737 | -24.03% | 4,751 | 6,254 |
| CT6 | +243.16% | 978 | 285 | +956.88% | 3,382 | 320 |
| CTS | -34.61% | 873 | 1,335 | -36.72% | 3,359 | 5,308 |
| ELR | -97.89% | 2 | 95 | -98.04% | 7 | 357 |
| ESCALADE | -17.75% | 1,487 | 1,808 | -15.26% | 5,787 | 6,829 |
| ESCALADE ESV | -6.51% | 1,121 | 1,199 | +0.96% | 4,326 | 4,285 |
| SRX | -99.36% | 19 | 2,952 | -99.22% | 123 | 15,818 |
| XT5 | +1,709.54% | 5,501 | 304 | +6,135.20% | 18,955 | 304 |
| XTS | -39.91% | 914 | 1,521 | -24.37% | 5,592 | 7,394 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | +9.47% | 12,300 | 11,236 | -1.25% | 46,282 | 46,869 |
Sales Results - April 2017 - USA - Buick
| MODEL | APR 2017 / APR 2016 | APRIL 2017 | APRIL 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASCADA | -36.51% | 692 | 1,090 | -14.19% | 2,134 | 2,487 |
| ENCLAVE | -20.80% | 3,582 | 4,523 | -25.42% | 13,019 | 17,457 |
| ENCORE | +26.95% | 8,365 | 6,589 | +19.47% | 28,444 | 23,808 |
| ENVISION | * | 4,297 | * | * | 13,207 | * |
| LACROSSE | +9.38% | 1,983 | 1,813 | -35.41% | 6,968 | 10,788 |
| REGAL | -12.48% | 1,143 | 1,306 | -34.96% | 4,451 | 6,843 |
| VERANO | -71.95% | 673 | 2,399 | -74.43% | 2,717 | 10,624 |
| BUICK TOTAL | +17.01% | 20,735 | 17,720 | -1.48% | 70,940 | 72,007 |
Sales Results - April 2017 - USA - GMC
| MODEL | APR 2017 / APR 2016 | APRIL 2017 | APRIL 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA | +45.12% | 10,164 | 7,004 | +53.57% | 39,276 | 25,575 |
| CANYON | -21.74% | 2,368 | 3,026 | -6.68% | 9,895 | 10,603 |
| SAVANA | +6.36% | 3,629 | 3,412 | +37.95% | 10,396 | 7,536 |
| SIERRA | -15.25% | 17,400 | 20,531 | -6.21% | 67,210 | 71,662 |
| TERRAIN | +14.32% | 8,396 | 7,344 | -0.16% | 31,251 | 31,302 |
| YUKON | -8.84% | 3,030 | 3,324 | +5.73% | 13,014 | 12,309 |
| YUKON XL | -19.90% | 2,017 | 2,518 | +3.83% | 9,573 | 9,220 |
| GMC TOTAL | -0.33% | 47,004 | 47,159 | +7.38% | 180,615 | 168,207 |
Sales Results - April 2017 - USA - GM Totals
| BRAND | APR 2017 / APR 2016 | APRIL 2017 | APRIL 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -10.40% | 164,367 | 183,442 | -3.06% | 636,090 | 656,172 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | +9.47% | 12,300 | 11,236 | -1.25% | 46,282 | 46,869 |
| BUICK TOTAL | +17.01% | 20,735 | 17,720 | -1.48% | 70,940 | 72,007 |
| GMC TOTAL | -0.33% | 47,004 | 47,159 | +7.38% | 180,615 | 168,207 |
| GM USA TOTAL | -5.84% | 244,406 | 259,557 | -0.99% | 933,927 | 943,255 |
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to April 2016, except as noted
- There were 26 selling days in April 2017 and 27 selling days in April 2016
- 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
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
- Running Buick sales results
- Running GMC sales results
- April 2017 GM sales results
- U.S. GM April 2017 sales results
- U.S. April 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- U.S. April 2017 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. April 2017 Buick sales results
- U.S. April 2017 GMC sales results
- GM Canada April 2017 sales results
- Canada April 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- Canada April 2017 Cadillac sales results
- Canada April 2017 Buick sales results
- Canada April 2017 GMC sales results
- GM China April 2017 sales results
- Global April 2017 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. GM April 2017 sales results
Comments
The more expensive CT6 outselling the CTS. Can you say cannibalization? The Cadillac sedan lineup needs a shake up. New products cannot arrive soon enough.
Sonic and Malibu are down about as much as the new Cruze (with available hatch and diesel) are up. I wonder how much is coincidence. It would be nice to see a follow-up article with a breakdown of Cruze Hatch vs. Sedan sales.
Is it even possible that the XT5 can increase 1700%?
What the hell happened to the Impala?!!
Tell me about it! This SUV craze is more real than I thought! 61% decrease in sales?! That’s a tough pill to swallow, seeing as to how the Impala is one of the best full-size sedans out there!
Sad to see the general public not recognizing its superior quality
If the Cruze is selling so well, why is Lordstown idling? Why is there no news about Fairfax cutting back, since the Malibu (and Buick Lacrosse) sales are really down from last year?
It would be nice if GMA can get some details about why these seemingly contradictory events exist.
Thought they were idling a few plants to upgrade equipment? This is why they have built up inventory as well for many cars…
Well stop the doom and gloom. For the most part most will see a decline in sales in all the cars. The SUV and CUV sales will continue to climb and Truck sales will change for GM soon.
The bottom line is cars are not selling no matter who you are.
SUV and CUV sales are climbing and GM has more new ones coming this year than anyone.
GM also has new truck in the near future that will spring them forward again in the never ending game of leap frog for the truck.
The Ace in the Hole here is Mary and the top GM leaders. They are moving to maximize profits and ATP on all models and have been for 4 years. They had planned ahead on this and it is paying off as we have had record profits over the last 3 years and more expected to come.
Forbes outlined this yesterday and show how GM is making more money than Ford and will only increase profits as they have really got a lead on that now and the plans for the future will continue to increase it. The sale of Opel and other money drains like production in Australia have only contributed.
The key to the future for all automakers is to cut cost and max profits. Those who do will grow stronger and those who don’t will merge or fade away.
The volumes and plants will be managed to maintain good supplies and lines that are under producing like the Colorado and Canyon are now being expended to better meet demands.
Much of the drop in sales on the Colorado and Canyon are the lack of supply. Look around and most dealers only have 2-4 and some in my area have none of these trucks. Hard to sell any if there are none. The high volume sales early this year depeated many supplies.
Note too they did it with little to no incentives.
Like Lutz said today changes take time and we are nearing where that time is going to pay off in better profits and more and better models.
Bottom line is GM is losing the truck battle as Ram beat Chevy again. People want full crew cabs, but GM insists on being king of the double cab as they continue to lose the truck market. Put a dam& lease on the crew cab!! As a consumer get rid of the confusing select model tag super tag thing???
Ram is selling because they are cheap.
If you want a crew GMthey are there if you want one. Most dealers have many.
GM has a new truck coming Ram does not.
What is confusing at GM most full size trucks were clearly marked with $7k to $10k off. What is so hard to understand. The tag game was mostly on the mid size and only on one truck per dealer.
The tag on the mid size was easy to understand just aggravating when you find two identical truck accept for color and they could not move the tag to the color you wanted.
Ram may have won the month but GM is playing this game for the long term.
You can bet GM makes more per truck than Ram. Fiat still has no handle on their cost. Why do you think they want to join GM?
What’s causing the lack of supply for Colorado/Canyon? Seems like they should be at full production now…
The reason there is a shortage is that they put the line on with the vans as they were unsure of what demand was going to be.
As demand grew over the last two years they made moves to expand production by getting the union to work three shifts and cut breaks.
Now they are moving much of the van production out to start the 2018 models to add more capacity.
They had growth in sales but in Dec p, Jan And Feb they took off in double didgit increases.
I has been shopping and found low supplies but now I look they are even less. Many on the Forum have had yo change styles and colors go get a truck off the lot.
Now bear in mind there are few if any incentives on most.
I got lucky yo find a Denali as it rolled up on 90 days on the floor plan and they wanted to move it. This brought the too high price to what I would have paid for a SLT. I look now in my area and there are no Denali models for sale here at any price. GMC only shows 30 in the region.
I also shopped So Cal region and they had more truck but most were base work truck in white? It was like a fleet that went unsold?
There are a couple mega dealers that hold large numbers but that is only a couple.
The trick is to set production yo be at the right pace bases on projections.
As you see it is not easy to predict demands with a unpredictable public.
I ordered a Camaro ZL1 (2017) at Thanksgiving 2016 from my local Chevy dealer. Five months later dealer called telling me car was not going to be built. Reason? My dealer was considered to be low volume. What does that have to do with my factory order? I filed a complaint with corporate, got a case number but have heard nothing! Going to try again with a 2018 and larger dealer.
Interesting…not like your dealer has to build it themselves they just place the order and then you pay for it. Their loss I guess
A dealer just can’t order any vehicle for any customer. A dealer must have allotment assigned to them by GM in order to place an order for both stock and a sold customer order. So your dealer took your order hoping they would get allotment for one but in the end, were too small of dealer to get any allotment. That is not GM’s fault. That is the dealer not warning you they may not get allotment.
Here’s an example. Up here on the Canadian Prairies, the Volt is not a very good seller. Most Volt dealers didn’t even order any this year, including us because we didn’t sell a single Volt in 2016. We had a customer come in last month wanting to order a Volt, but we had to tell him we couldn’t as we had zero allotment for one because we didn’t sell any last year. It is a turn and earn system. Sell one, get allotment for a replacement.
dpach,
You gotta admit, in this the era Amazon Prime, mass customization, co-creation, and experiential retail, having an allotment system impacting the ability of a dealer to place an order for an actual paying customer with checkbook in hand is just massively archaic and stupid. A customer who really loves a particular car, is ready to commit and plunk down a deposit and wait for the car built to their spec should be treated like gold. Those tend to be the most passionate customers, also likely to be repeat loyal, etc. Treat them like Larry got treated and there is a good chance they end up buying another brand. I understand allotments for dealer inventory management, but not for sold customer orders.
Actually with the system GM is saddled with like the dealer system it gives them a little more control over dealers that generally are protected by law from the mfg to the point it hurts the mfg in many cases.
Often alacations for high demand cars are rewarded for high survey reports. This is why the dealers beg for the best ratings as anything less hurts their bonuses and the alacation for popular models.
It also prevents a ZR1 from ending up at a dealer in Clay WV.
The other 800 pound gorilla in the room is you have a very high dollar product that is not something you can UPS or drone to the customer. You need to do marketing research and put the product where it will likely sell the fastest at the highest price.
A good example was the GTO. Back in the 90’s GM felt the Midwest would be the biggest buyers of the car. Well they went unsold and of all places So Cal was the big market for the car. GM got it wrong. But alacations are a safe guard to direct models to the right market that generally is identified correctly most often.
Finally if a dealer needs a model most often they can do a dealer trade. I have done this often even with trades between Ohio to as far as Atlanta and St Louis.
It often arrives in three days or less.
The other factor is GM has more dealers than they need. They have carefully forced or merged some out. They have bought a few out but GM can not afford to buy them all out. They fight to force the deal deal on Tesla because if they get away with out dealers the Chinese will flood the market with low cost direct sale models that GM and other old mfg can not afford to buy their way out and the goverment will not let them force the dealer out.
Bring on the big rebates!
GM got caught over producing for sales that r now starting to decline . This having to slow production . The market is saturated with new vehicle owners and people hold onto them longer ,GM is still to big and to many overlapping products.