DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) has reported April sales of 213,387 vehicles in the United States. Retail sales were essentially equal to April 2011. GM’s fleet sales declined 25 percent due to the timing of rental customer deliveries, as previously indicated. As a result, total sales were down 8 percent. Based on higher than expected first quarter industry sales and expectations that the U.S. economy will continue to grow, GM is increasing its full-year light vehicle sales forecast to 14.0 million – 14.5 million units from 13.5 million – 14.0 million units.
“We expect gradual improvement in the economy going forward,” said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “Over time, strength in the manufacturing sector and strong retail sales will lead to more job creation. That will help more consumers put the recession behind them, gain even more confidence and drive vehicle sales higher for both the industry and GM.”
GM’s two newest vehicles, the Chevrolet Sonic and the Buick Verano, continue to perform well. Chevrolet Sonic sales were 38 percent higher than the vehicle it replaced. Buick Verano sales reached 2,989 units and have increased each month since it went on sale in late November 2011. In addition, Chevrolet Volt sales of 1,462 units were strong nationally but limited by availability of vehicles in California, where GM is launching a model that qualifies for high-occupancy vehicle lane access.
Other highlights include a 7 percent year-over-year increase for the Cadillac CTS sedan, a 20 percent increase for the GMC Sierra, a 9 percent increase for the GMC Terrain, a 5 percent sales increase for the Chevrolet Silverado and a 7 percent increase for the Chevrolet Equinox.
On a selling-day adjusted basis, GM total sales were up 3 percent and retail sales were up 12 percent. On the same basis, Chevrolet retail sales were up 13 percent, Buick retail sales were up 8 percent, GMC retail sales were up 17 percent and Cadillac retail sales were essentially equal to a year ago. There were three fewer selling days in April 2012 than a year ago.
| 2012 Highlights | April Total Sales | Total Change vs. April 2011 | April Retail Sales | Retail Change vs. April 2011 | Retail Change vs. April 2011 (selling days adjusted) | CYTD Sales |
CYTD Change vs. 2011 | CYTD Retail Sales | CYTDRetail Change vs. 2011 |
| Chevrolet | 155,487 | (8.4%) | 105,702 | 0.2% | 12.7% | 603,621 | 3.0% | 406,919 | 0.5% |
| GMC | 32,603 | 4.5% | 27,524 | 4.4% | 17.4% | 124,487 | 2.0% | 107,052 | (0.2%) |
| Buick | 15,446 | (16.1%) | 13,529 | (3.9%) | 8.1% | 52,782 | (16.4%) | 48,905 | (4.9%) |
| Cadillac | 9,851 | (25.0%) | 9,525 | (11.4%) | (0.3%) | 40,817 | (23.9%) | 39,377 | (13.7%) |
| Total GM | 213,387 | (8.2%) | 156,280 | (0.2%) | 12.2% | 821,707 | (0.4%) | 602,253 | (1.1%) |
| Inventory | Units @ March 31, 2012 |
Days Supply (selling days adjusted) | Units @ April 30, 2012 |
Days Supply (selling days adjusted) |
| All Vehicles | 713,008 | 86 | 701,389 | 79 |
| Full-size Pickups | 231,594 | 124 | 226,585 | 121 |
| Industry Sales | April SAAR (est.) | Q1 2012 SAAR | Full Year 2012 (est.) |
| Light Vehicles | 14.2 million – 14.5 million | 14.6 million | 14.0 million – 14.5 million |
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “believe,” “commit,” “intend,” “continue,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned” or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to realize production efficiencies and to achieve reductions in costs as a result of our restructuring initiatives and labor modifications; our ability to maintain quality control over our vehicles and avoid material vehicle recalls; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt, including as required to fund our planned significant investment in new technology; the ability of our suppliers to timely deliver parts, components and systems; our ability to realize successful vehicle applications of new technology; and our ability to continue to attract new customers, particularly for our new products. GM’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q provides information about these and other factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC.
