GM reports Q3 global sales, trails Toyota by over 300k units
General Motors is reporting global sales of 2.1 million units for the third quarter, which is down 11% from the same period last year. Through September of this year, GM has sold 6.7 million cars and trucks worldwide, putting the automaker further behind Toyota, which has sold 7.05 million units so far this year. The struggling U.S. market is a big part of GM's sales woes, as 61% of the Detroit automaker's sales came from outside of its home market. That's up from 56% last year, but down from the 65% figure for the second quarter of 2008. VP of sales and marketing Jonathan Browning points out challenges in the global financial markets as a big problem for GM, but also mentioned that strong sales in emerging markets is helping to ease the sales burden.Since GM has a serious cash crunch and merger talks on its hands right now, it likely doesn't care much about a global sales race with Toyota. That doesn't make Toyota's accomplishment any less significant, though, considering how long the General has been on top of the global sales charts.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ 12:38PM (10/29/2008)
where's goble-goo-what's-his-name to lead the GM bashing charge?
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Torrent 12:49PM (10/29/2008)
He'll be here. What's his name anyway? I pronounce it 'gagalbooboo' or something...
Gabagool 12:58PM (10/29/2008)
Well i am here, but i do want to point out that i was the one who alerted Autoblog on this story as soon as it was available.
So how are you TJ? You still supporting Wagoner? Still think he is doing a heckuva job? Still think he is underpaid (17 mill is not enough for him)?
Kitko 1:00PM (10/29/2008)
Bashing? What's wrong with reality? There are reasons behind GM slump - it's the same market for everyone. Some were prepared some chose not to be prepared. As for the individual models, we all have our own opinions.
TJ 2:27PM (10/29/2008)
Notice, I never said anything about Wagoner, or his salary. Not once. I was simply, in that thread, posting about how you always show up to post anything anti-GM as often as possible.
I am good, thank you for asking! Yourself?
Donpella 1:01PM (10/29/2008)
Lately I've been feeling very patriotic. F@CK! all these other car companies, why are people still dogging GM when now they have the best product that they've had in decades. Actually the cars they have out now and that are soon to be released are the most competitive ever...in performance, reliablity,and design. People just need to admit it that they are brand-whores. If you take the logos off these cars and just a Toyota or three pointed star on most of these cars people will drool over them. It's funny how the rest of the world actually buys American brand cars, but the US doesn't even have faith that it can make a great car. Thats US industrialism, the capablity to make great product but the people would rather hang from some other countries nuts instead of having faith in our own.
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Gabagool 1:09PM (10/29/2008)
Look i went to Chevy dealer, i sat in Malibu, it's good, i like it, but come on it's not as good as Accord inside. I am talking about the interior feel only, i did not drive either one.
Also, i sat in both Fit and Astra, not even close, Astra is very cheap and ugly inside.
Astra and Malibu are HUGE improvements over (as far as interiors go) G5 or Cobalt, but all that really means is that those were THAT deplorable.
Also many say give Domestics a chance, i say give foreign brands a chance too, if you own a Cobalt, go test drive a Civic, or a Sentra. See what happens.
Parkerman 1:23PM (10/29/2008)
I hate GM right now because they are seeking help from the fed to buy and ruin Chrysler.
Who 'Dis? Who 'Dat? 1:35PM (10/29/2008)
I'm with you, Parkerman. I've been calling GM a "corporate vampire" all week. GM is in the midst of trying to bleed dry anyone and everything it can to stay afloat. Even ruining Chrysler in the process.
Ford Wannup 3:25PM (10/29/2008)
You are absolutely right that GM is now producing SEVERAL world-class cars. However, their overall product line up is very uneven. For every great new car like CTS-V (that thing is enormous achievement), Malibu, G8, they compensate it with Saturn Ion, Tahoe Hybrid (I mean, really, WTF is that thing except to garner favor with uneducated greenies wannabe's), Saab 9-7X. You can go on and on with this.
Simply, they have too many product lines and too muddled a marketing message, that it just becomes impossible to manage properly. Their product competes against each other in the marketplace, yet, a poorly performing corporate cousin will negatively impact the reputation of the others. They need to bite the bullet and rationalize the brands.
info2x 4:10PM (10/29/2008)
Hey ford... the Saturn Ion isn't made anymore so why compare it with the current line up. The Tahoe hybrid is also the most advanced hybrid system on the market today (GM 2-mode). GM put it in the vehicles that needed a FE boost the most a la FST, but they also don't loose much in towing capacity. That's why SAE made it they're pick for best engineered vehicle of the year. They are putting that system in the Vue soon as well as a host of others.
Ford Wannup 5:24PM (10/29/2008)
@info2
you are missing the big point. The product examples I cited are just that....examples. GM's problems are very structural and fundamental, way beyond products. Problems and even achievements in products just further exacerbate the challenges they are facing.
Big Rocket 5:31PM (10/29/2008)
@Donpella: Eff all the other car companies? Really? Who do you think you can thank for forcing GM to come up with better and more desirable cars, if not the competition from those other car companies? If the American public kept on buying the uncompetitive vehicles that GM produced in the past, what incentive would GM have had to improve its product line?
wvuquentin 1:06PM (10/29/2008)
At least the lead cheerleaders for GM are here, though.
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stratojet 1:25PM (10/29/2008)
This race IMHO is finished. Toyota has now taken the lead, and this is permanent. Untill all senior UAW workers (the senior ones) retire, it is impossible for GM Chrysler or Ford to compete.
As far as Wagoner's job, well he did what he could within the bondaries of this framework. He still does . THere is a very good article from Paul Ingrassia in the Wall Street Journal explaining the GM situation, which I think sums it all up. Too long too reprint here. Wagoner is not guilty of what is going on. This whole situation started back more than 70 years ago.
As far as internal quarrels in this blog (or some other notorious ones, Motor trends comes to mind), I"d say that most bashing (both sides) comes from uninformed members. Also, it is fun to attract the attention of other members by making shocking statements. Children do that all the time.
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Gabagool 1:31PM (10/29/2008)
I read that article, it would have been great if it was posted here for everyone else.
Having said that, Wagoner may have done all he could, but all that really means is that he doesn't know what he is doing, he is simply unqualified, that man should not be allowed to flip burgers let alone run a company.
As far as shocking statements, come on, he is making 17 Mill all the while GM is losing 16.5 Billion in North America, losing 65 Million in Asia, making 99 Mil in Europe and making 415 Mil in S America (2nd Q Numbers) 3rd Quater will be even worse.
FFS 1:47PM (10/29/2008)
does anyone have a doubt that if Ghosn was in his place things would have changed drastically ?
jared k 1:24PM (10/29/2008)
since they sell more cars percentage-wise outside of the US does someone at GM say "hey maybe the products we offer outside of the US are better which is why we sell more" or do they just chalk it up to different demands?
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Esprit bird 1:28PM (10/29/2008)
Lets see...
Man walks into a Chevy dealer, he finds the cheap and practical Impala that offers a good choice of engines and trim packages. Good. He walks by the SUV's sad to say, they are pretty good. he walks by the Malibu and there is still good to be found!, looks for a sport car and is sad to only see Corvettes cause the Camaro has STILL not come out. Finds Cobalts and is only interested in the SS cause the rest are lame.
Man walks into a Pontiac dealer...all he see's are Chevy's and a BMW Competitor...why the heck would he go to Pontiac for a BMW? oh and small 2 seater that looks better as a Saturn...*sigh* poor Pontiac.
Man walks into a Buick dealer...oh my, he is scared off by 4 speed Auto's and poor fuel mile age. Although, Buick's products are years ahead of where they where not too long ago.
Cadillac? fixed
Saturn, a man once walked into Saturn dealerships for cheap, fuel efficient econo cars...now he gets offered expensive Aura with 255 HP a few CUV's and the only fuel efficient car aint that hot...*sigh* Astra...
I could go on but i gotta get to work.
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JCoke 1:35PM (10/29/2008)
Yeah, its there most competitive products in years....
SFW? Are their products actually competitive? On a few models. Not all. You don't just wake up, build the Bu, and wash away 30 years of incompetence.
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