GM dealers in the United States delivered 260,922 vehicles in April. Retail car and crossover sales were up more than 9 percent. A sharp sales increase in fuel efficient cars and crossovers could not make up for soft truck demand and a sharp decline in fleet deliveries impacted by the American Axle strike. On a non-adjusted basis, retail sales were down 11.5 percent and total sales for the month were down 16 percent.
On an adjusted basis, total sales declined 22.7 percent.
Dealer inventories were at their lowest level since September 2005 with about 824,000 vehicles in stock, down about 206,000 vehicles compared to last April, and down more than 84,000 vehicles compared with December 2007.
"Consumer preference is shifting and we're shifting with it as evidenced by our strong car and crossover sales. Our new products such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS and Buick Enclave were hot throughout the month," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Throughout the industry, truck sales have been soft. We've been able to match the current economic slowdown with historically low total inventories, and as we look for ways to increase car and crossover production, we are improving our competitive position for the economic recovery."
Chevrolet Malibu total sales were up 29 percent with retail sales up 147 percent, Aveo sales were up 14 percent total and 13 percent retail, and Cobalt sales were up 16 percent total and 17 percent retail. Pontiac Vibe total sales were up 36 percent and retail sales were up 39 percent compared with April 2007. Saturn Aura was up 19 percent total and 16 percent retail, and the Astra had its fourth consecutive month of increasing sales with more than 900 vehicles sold. In the luxury car segment, the award-winning Cadillac CTS saw total sales increase 8 percent with a strong retail increase of 12 percent.
GM's popular crossover Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook together accounted for nearly 13,000 retail vehicle sales in the month, an increase of 7 percent compared with the same month last year. There were more than 6,600 Acadia, 4,000 Enclave and 2,300 Outlook retail sales. The Saturn Vue had a total sales increase of about 600 vehicles compared with April 2007.
"Our sales performance in mid-cars and crossovers shows the power of new products to attract consumers - even in a tough market," LaNeve added. "So as the mix shifts from trucks to cars, we're ready in our dealers' showrooms with vehicles that provide industry-leading value, great fuel economy and the best warranty coverage of any full-line automaker."
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