GM Sales Drop 7.7% in March

GM dealers in the United States delivered 349,867 vehicles in March, a reduction of 7.7 percent on a sales day-adjusted basis (down 4.2 percent non-adjusted), compared with 365,375 total sales a year ago. Fleet sales were down 11.8 percent due to continuing reductions in daily rental sales. GM's March retail sales were down 6.2 percent compared with year-ago levels on a sales day-adjusted basis (down 2.8 percent non-adjusted).

For the first quarter of 2007, GM delivered 909,094 vehicles, a decline of 5.6 percent, driven by reductions of almost 60,000 daily rental vehicle sales. For the first quarter of 2007, GM retail sales were up 0.5 percent. The reductions in fleet sales have resulted in a significant improvement in the retail/fleet mix.

"As we continue to build upon our strategy of focusing on value, lowering daily rental sales and increasing residual values, we were able to grow retail sales for the quarter, posting year-over-year increases in 19 vehicle lines. That's very good news. In March, we saw continued strength and stability in our retail business led by gains in mid-cars, crossovers, economy cars and luxury SUVs," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North American Sales, Service and Marketing. "The Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Acadia and Saturn Outlook are exceeding our expectations and confirm that when you offer the best product, value, segment-leading fuel economy and the best warranty coverage in the industry, customers respond."

GM March sales reflected the continuing strength of the new product portfolio with competitive incentive spending, balanced with ongoing reductions in daily rental fleet sales.

Chevrolet Aveo, Impala, Equinox, HHR, Suburban and Avalanche; Pontiac G6; Saturn Sky; GMC Yukon XL; Cadillac SRX, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT all had March retail sales increases compared to a year ago. Pontiac G5; Saturn Aura and Outlook and the GMC Acadia are newly-offered products and continue to contribute retail sales momentum. The GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook drove a 235 percent retail increase in the mid-crossover segment.

Terminal10 - 4/3/2007 4:24:17 PM

-1 Boost

No suprise here.

MercBasher - 4/3/2007 6:05:57 PM

+1 Boost

We need to wait for the detailed numbers to work out what's working and GM and what's not. For example Saturn Aura sales are very disappointing for a decent car.

paul3230 - 4/3/2007 11:55:51 PM

0 Boost

It's not so much as the consumer has gotten smart but GM has gotten smart to say "hey guys, we can't keep the factories running by dumping cars onto the fleets" I think GM sales have been propped for a long, long time and the reason GM isn't screaming "uncle" is because they are actually making MORE money off of retail sales.

neutral - 4/4/2007 12:53:18 AM

+1 Boost

It's really sad that the domestics aren't doing so well, although a big part of this is the decline of fleet sales. The Saturn lineup, however, I have to say, is very, very nice. With the exception of Hyundai, no other car brand has made such a dramatic jump of quality, fair pricing, and stylish (relatively speaking) cars. I would personally love to have a new Aura or Outlook.

Does anyone know where to find GM sales figures? I cannot seem to ever find them.

neutral - 4/4/2007 12:54:45 AM

+2 Boost

Also, GM needs to make a real Navigation system available in many more cars (including the Aura). Enough with this "turn-by-turn" garbage.

Another note....wait until the Aura Greenline becomes more mainstream, especially this summer when gas prices most likely will shoot up again.

BigShow50 - 4/4/2007 12:11:56 PM

+1 Boost

I have a good friend of mine representing the Saturn & SAAB products. And I have to admit the Saturn Aura is a big leap in terms of product offerings from Saturn. But really no different than any car out on the market today. But they are not moving as much as they anticipated. I find more of the new 2007 Chrysler Sebrings out on road than the Aura. But like always, GM still plagues it's quality issues. As for the Aura, it does have quality issues and problems here and there. If you look at the front skirt/lip of the bumper, it's made out of plastic, not even polyurathane.(therefore prone to shattering from road hazzards, and looks really bad after the fact). The rear deck has a very poor fit and finish, it makes this scratching noise, like fingers on a chalk board when going over bumps. The front A-pillars have very-very poor visibility from driver side especially the right passenger side. If you drive downtown you have a higher chance of hitting a pedestrian on the street, no matter how aware you are when driving. Poor radio reception, even on all major radio stations. The flexfit windshield wipers tends to wear out or loose contact within 2 months of use leaving poor visibility at times. Door locks tends to malfunction. As the car gains more milage as you drive, you will notice more road and wind noise as the door seals tend to wear and flatten out more quickly, so contact between the doors and the car itself is less of a tight fit. And gas milage on their V6, for a 62 Litre gas tank(13 gallons) get an average real world driving(weather you use the lowest or highest grade of gas) about 365 kms to the tank. Do not understand the placement of the Onstar antenna, why in the front? When it typically looks better in the rear? You tell me guys...Well these are the common complaints about this particular model from clients after delivery or within 4,000 kms driven. Curious to see how this holds out in the long run of ownership. And what Consumer Reports or J.D. Power has to say when they actually do reviews. GM/Saturn still has a long road ahead of them, therefore don't judge a book by it's cover. Remember this is a re-badge Opel. And you would think they would have ironed out the kinks, when branding it as Saturn, but what's new with GM?!?!?

neutral - 4/10/2007 3:48:24 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry pal, I can't agree with even 25% of your complaints with the Aura. The biggest problem I have is that theres no in-dash navigation and $100 dollars more on the interior would make a nice interior a great interior. That's all.