General Motors sells more cars in January 2006 than January 2005

Despite a slip in General Motors' truck sales, January 2006 saw 6 percent higer sales for the company than January 2005. Not to let its parent company down, Pontiac came through in the clutch, rising 53.6 percent, followed by a Cadillac car sales increase of 33.4 percent and a Buick car sales increase of 8.4 percent.

The increase totaling out at 6 percent comes no thanks to truck sales. Light trucks by GMC, Buick and Cadillac lost over 15 percent each -- over 35 percent in the case of Cadillac.

GM's press release and the unfiltered numbers after the jump...

[Source: GM] GM Reports 296,003 Deliveries In January, Up 6 Percent

Cadillac, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn Post Sales Increases
Deliveries of Chevrolet Tahoe Up 53 Percent; Large Utility Sales Rise 23 Percent
Launch Vehicle Momentum Continues, Paced by DTS, Lucerne, HHR, Impala, G6 and H3

DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the United States sold 296,003 new cars and trucks in January, up 6 percent compared to the same month a year ago. Car sales were up 15 percent and truck sales were comparable to year-ago levels (-0.5 percent).

"We had solid results in January and showed some very encouraging pockets of strength," said Mark LaNeve, General Motors North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Dealers reported improving traffic in their showrooms and internet lead generation as the month progressed and consumers became aware of our aggressive reduction in sticker prices. Recent new segment entries, Chevrolet HHR, Buick Lucerne and HUMMER H3, continue to accelerate, and we had terrific sales performance for Cadillac DTS, Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac G6. We also had a very encouraging start for the new Chevy Tahoe."

GM's January deliveries were led by a 23 percent increase in full-size sport utility sales. Chevrolet Tahoe, which had a 53 percent sales increase, paced large utility deliveries. Sales of the all-new 2007 Tahoe are off to a strong start, and production of GM's other all-new full-size utilities, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade, is ramping up.

LaNeve went on to explain that while it was early in the launch of GM's all-new full-size utilities, there are a number of positive signs. "Dealers, consumers and third parties have reacted very enthusiastically to these segment-leading new vehicles," LaNeve said. "Sales, production, inventory turn rates and dealer orders are all ahead of plan. It's January, it's early, but we're optimistic that these great new products will be successful."

Small utility deliveries rose 76 percent, led by continuing strong sales of the Chevrolet HHR and Saturn VUE. HHR had its second-best monthly sales since its launch. The new VUE, which posted record January deliveries (up 39.5 percent) drove a 22.5 percent sales improvement for Saturn. This was the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains for VUE.

GM continued to experience strong sales of its luxury vehicles with Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab all posting January sales increases. Luxury utility deliveries again were driven by the HUMMER H3, which continued the strong sales pace HUMMER began in 2005. HUMMER posted a year-over-year sales record for the ninth consecutive month, and January deliveries were 180 percent greater than year-ago levels.

In addition to improved luxury utility sales, January luxury car deliveries posted a 24 percent gain. Luxury car sales were paced by Cadillac DTS, with deliveries more than double year-ago sales for DeVille, the vehicle it replaced. DTS achieved its second-best sales month since launch, and CTS set a new January sales record (up 6 percent), driving Cadillac to a 5 percent sales improvement. Saab's 34 percent sales gain was paced by the 9-3, which achieved solid sales results, posting a 35 percent improvement over year-ago levels.

Certified Used Vehicles
January sales for all GM certified used vehicle brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned, Used Cars from Saturn, Saab Certified Pre-Owned and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned were 39,491 units, down nearly 2 percent from last year.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted sales of 34,493 units in January, up 0.5 percent from year-ago levels.

Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted sales of 2,943 units in January, down 1 percent. Used Cars from Saturn sold 1,607 units, down 33 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 434 units, down 2.5 percent. HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned reported 14 units sold in its first month of operation.

"Coming off record certified-segment annual sales in 2005, GM Certified Used Vehicles posted solid sales results in January," LaNeve said. "GM Certified continues to lead all manufacturers in the certified category, and we are optimistic about the prospects for continued growth in 2006."

GM North America Reports January Production, 2006 First-Quarter Production Forecast Remains Unchanged
GM North America in January produced 386,000 vehicles (158,000 cars and 228,000 trucks). This is up 33,000 units, or 9 percent, compared to January 2005 when the region produced 353,000 vehicles (143,000 cars and 210,000 trucks). Production totals include joint venture production of 26,000 vehicles in January 2006 and 22,000 vehicles in January 2005.

The region's 2006 first-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.25 million vehicles (505,000 cars and 745,000 trucks). In the first quarter of 2005, the region produced 1.182 million vehicles (470,000 cars and 712,000 trucks).

GM also announced 2005 actual fourth-quarter production and 2006 first-quarter production forecasts for its international regions.
GM Europe - In the fourth quarter of 2005, the region built 443,000 vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 442,000 vehicles. GM Europe's 2006 first-quarter production estimate remains unchanged at 497,000 vehicles. In the first quarter of 2005, the region built 502,000 vehicles.

GM Asia-Pacific - GM Asia Pacific built 482,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the region built 386,000 vehicles. GM Asia Pacific's 2006 first-quarter production estimate remains unchanged at 411,000 vehicles. In the first quarter of 2005, the region built 335,000 vehicles.

GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - The region built 188,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the region produced 200,000 vehicles. The region's 2006 first-quarter production estimate remains at 201,000 vehicles. In the first quarter of 2005, the region built 185,000 vehicles.