DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) reported May sales of 245,256 vehicles in the United States, up 11 percent year over year and the highest monthly total since August 2009 when dealers delivered 246,479 units.  GM retail sales were up 14 percent year-over-year and the retail mix was 70 percent.  Fleet sales increased 3 percent.  Buick and GMC both reported sales increases of 19 percent and Chevrolet was up 10 percent.

Sales of GM small and compact cars were up 16 percent in May versus a year ago, driven by the new Chevrolet Sonic, which had sales of 7,205 units, and the new Buick Verano, with 3,609 sales, which has increased sales every month since launch.

Combined sales of all seven Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac crossovers were up 14 percent versus a year ago.  The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain continue to stand out, with sales up 15 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Full-size pickup sales were up 23 percent year over year, mid-size pickup sales were up 34 percent and full-size SUVs were up 14 percent.

“GM’s sales in May were the highest in almost three years and we are poised to keep delivering good news for the U.S. economy with one of the most aggressive new product offenses in our history,” said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations.  “About 70 percent of our nameplates will be new or freshened over the course of 2012 and 2013 and that positions us very well as the industry and GM start to approach pre-recession sales levels.”

This summer, Chevrolet will launch the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu four-cylinder and the Chevrolet Spark, while Cadillac will launch the XTS large luxury sedan and ATS compact luxury sedan.

The Cadillac XTS went into production in May and cars are expected to begin arriving in showrooms in June.  The XTS and ATS will complement the Cadillac CTS sedan and coupe, the SRX crossover and the Escalade sport utility vehicle.  Cadillac’s total sales reflect a planned 82 percent decrease in fleet sales.