CHEVROLET AND BUICK POST BIG RETAIL SALES AND SHARE GAINS KEEPING GM THE FASTEST-GROWING FULL-LINE AUTOMAKER

• Chevrolet U.S. retail sales up 6 percent for best October since 2004

• Buick U.S. retail sales up 7 percent for best October since 2003

DETROIT – General Motors (NYSE: GM) sold 208,290 vehicles in October to individual or 'retail' customers in the U.S., up 3 percent from last year, despite two fewer selling days. Based on initial estimates, GM outperformed the entire U.S. retail industry by a wide margin.

Led by Chevrolet and Buick, GM's U.S. retail market share rose to its highest October level since 2009. Based on initial estimates, GM's retail market share jumped 1.6 percentage points in October to 18.1 percent, the largest retail market share gain of any manufacturer. GM has gained retail market share in 16 of the past 19 months.

Chevrolet gained 1.4 percentage points of U.S. retail market share in October to 12.3 percent. Chevrolet has gained U.S. retail market share in 9 out of 10 months this year, and remains the industry's fastest-growing full-line brand. Buick gained 0.2 percentage points of retail market share in October.

In addition, GMC set an all-time October record for the brand's ATP or Average Transaction Price of $43,988, up more than $1,800 over last October's performance.

GM's total U.S. sales in October were 258,626 vehicles, down less than 2 percent from last year. In addition, GM's daily rental sales were down approximately 8,000 vehicles or about 19 percent in October compared to last year, as planned.

'GM's October performance reflects the strength of our retail business and our operating discipline. We gained profitable retail share in October while spending less than the industry average on incentives and commanding the industry's best average transaction prices for any full-line automaker,' said Kurt McNeil, GM's vice president of U.S. sales operations. 'We will continue our disciplined approach and focus on retail in a strong industry.'

In October, GM's incentive spending as a percent of ATP was 11.7 percent, below the industry average of 11.8 percent.

GM's ATPs, which reflect retail transaction prices after sales incentives, were $36,155 in October, more than $4,650 above the industry average and more than $1,000 above last October's performance.

Through the first ten months of the year, GM retail sales are up 1 percent, compared to last year. GM has gained 0.6 percentage points of retail share during that timeframe, the largest retail share gain of any full-line automaker. Year to date, Chevrolet retail sales are up more than 2 percent and the brand's retail share has grown 0.5 percentage points to 11.2 percent. Year to date, Buick retail deliveries have grown nearly 4 percent and Buick has gained 0.1 percentage points of retail share.

GM continues to benefit from a strong U.S. economy.

'Key fundamentals like job security, rising personal incomes, low fuel prices and low interest rates continue to provide the environment for a very healthy U.S. auto industry,' said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM's chief economist. 'The U.S. auto industry is well positioned for sales to continue at or near record levels for the foreseeable future.'

October Retail Sales and Business Highlights vs. 2015 (except as noted)

Chevrolet

Chevrolet had its best October since 2004 and best year to date sales since 2006

Chevrolet cars sales continue to grow faster than the passenger car industry

Malibu, Camaro, Corvette, Spark and Volt were up 39 percent, 14 percent, 8 percent, 5 percent and 6 percent, respectively

Malibu had its best October since 1980

Camaro had its best October since 2009

Colorado, Suburban, Tahoe and Trax were up 42 percent, 35 percent, 49 percent and 37 percent, respectively

Tahoe and Suburban had their best October since 2007

Colorado had its best October since 2004

GMC

ATPs growing three times faster than industry pace

Acadia, Canyon, Yukon XL and Yukon were up 17 percent, 15 percent, 3 percent and 26 percent, respectively

More than 25 percent Denali penetration for the brand

Sierra had its highest ATP ever at $46,876

Canyon had its best October ever

Acadia had its best October ever

Yukon had its best October since 2007 and 14th month of year-over-year growth

Yukon XL had its best October since 2007

Buick

Best October since 2003 and best year to date since 2005

LaCrosse was up 13 percent with new model off to a strong start

Envision had best month since launch

Cadillac

Escalade retail sales up year to date more than 6 percent

October ATP was a record $55,058, up more than $2,300 from last October

Record year to date ATP of $53,542

Year-to-date retail luxury market share in line with 2015 performance

Average Transaction Prices (ATP)/Incentives

GM's ATPs, which reflect retail transaction prices after sales incentives, were $36,155 in October, more than $4,650 above the industry average in October and more than $1,000 above last October

GM's October incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 11.7 percent, below the industry average of 11.8 percent, but down 1.4 percentage points from last month and well below many other competitors

Fleet and Commercial

Commercial fleet up 13 percent vs. September, and up 3 percent, selling day adjusted, YOY

Malibu up 95 percent compared to last October

Mid-size trucks up 218 percent compared to last October

Federal Government sales up 53 percent

Rental down 19 percent for October, and 29 percent year to date, according to plan

Industry Sales

GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in October was approximately 18.0 million units. On a calendar year-to-date basis, GM estimates the light-vehicle SAAR was 17.4 million units

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, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. 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

Photo credit: General Motors
posted on conceptcarz.com

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