Retail Sales Propel General Motors to 49 Percent Gain in February

General Motors total sales in the United States rose 49 percent in February, as dealers reported 207,028 deliveries for the company’s four brands. For the second month in a row, the gain in total sales was driven by soaring retail demand for the company’s products. During the month, retail sales rose 70 percent – the highest year-over-year gain in the company’s history.

For the first two months of the year, GM’s total sales have risen 36 percent, while the company’s retail sales – those to individual consumers – have increased by 52 percent.

Retail sales of GM’s cars, trucks and crossovers all rose at least 59 percent or more during the month, up 76 percent, 74 percent and 59 percent, respectively.

“Our plan was to get off to a quick start this year, and we did just that," said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “Having the right vehicles in inventory, combined with aggressive advertising and targeted consumer marketing has been the key to our success in the first two months this year."

Newest Vehicles Lead Gains, More Than Doubling During February

Combined sales for GM’s newest vehicles – Chevrolet Equinox, Silverado HD, Cruze and Volt; Buick LaCrosse and Regal; GMC Sierra HD and Terrain; and Cadillac SRX, CTS Wagon and CTS Coupe – increased 66 percent, while retail sales surged 119 percent for the month, compared to February 2010.

Passenger Cars

Total sales of GM passenger cars improved 40 percent during February, led by the sale of 18,556 Chevrolet Cruzes. Retail sales of GM passenger cars rose 76 percent for the month, with Cruze retail sales 212 percent higher than the compact car it replaced. Strong retail sales of the all-new Cadillac CTS Coupe helped propel CTS retail sales to a record high for the month of February, up 159 percent versus a year ago. The Buick Regal had its best month since launch, recording 3,541 retail sales.

Crossovers

February total sales for GM’s industry-leading lineup of fuel-efficient crossovers were the best ever for the month, increasing 57 percent versus February 2010. Each of GM’s most popular crossovers set a record for retail sales for the month of February – Chevrolet Equinox (up 98 percent) and Traverse (up 32 percent); GMC Terrain (up 76 percent) and Acadia (up 25 percent); Buick Enclave (45 percent); and Cadillac SRX (up 62 percent). Combined retail sales for these models rose 58 percent during the month, compared to last year’s month.

Pickups and Utilities

Total sales of GM’s full-size pickup trucks – Chevrolet Silverado and Avalanche, and GMC Sierra – improved 65 percent in February versus a year ago, with retail sales rising 83 percent. Total sales of GM full-size utilities – Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade – rose 50 percent during the month, with combined retail sales improving 52 percent.

Month-end dealer inventory in the United States stood at about 517,000 units, which is about 7,000 higher compared to January and about 101,000 higher than February 2010.