The rumors were right, but also wrong.
We heard last week that Chevrolet was on track to sell 2,500 Volt plug-in hybrids in August, the most ever. Well, GM did set a new Volt sales record, but it was even higher: 2,831. That beats the previous best sales month, March 2012, when 2,289 were sold, by 542 units. Last month, GM sold 1,849 Volts. For a bit of context, GM also sold more Sparks in August than ever before, 2,630. The previous monthly was 1,460 in July.
GM will still shut down the plant that builds the Volt in Hamtramck, MI for a month starting in about two weeks, in part to retool the machines for the new models (that same plant also makes the Impala, for example) and in part to balance out Volt supply and demand. As of a month ago, GM had an 84-day supply of Volts.
As for the other plug-in vehicle that's been competing (in some ways) with the Volt since late 2010, the Nissan Leaf sold 685 in August, up from 395 sold last month. A year ago, Nissan sold 1,362 Leafs. The best Leaf sales month was June 2011, when 1,708 Leafs were sold.
As always, we'll have our detailed post about green vehicle sales up shortly, once all of the numbers are released.
We heard last week that Chevrolet was on track to sell 2,500 Volt plug-in hybrids in August, the most ever. Well, GM did set a new Volt sales record, but it was even higher: 2,831. That beats the previous best sales month, March 2012, when 2,289 were sold, by 542 units. Last month, GM sold 1,849 Volts. For a bit of context, GM also sold more Sparks in August than ever before, 2,630. The previous monthly was 1,460 in July.
GM will still shut down the plant that builds the Volt in Hamtramck, MI for a month starting in about two weeks, in part to retool the machines for the new models (that same plant also makes the Impala, for example) and in part to balance out Volt supply and demand. As of a month ago, GM had an 84-day supply of Volts.
As for the other plug-in vehicle that's been competing (in some ways) with the Volt since late 2010, the Nissan Leaf sold 685 in August, up from 395 sold last month. A year ago, Nissan sold 1,362 Leafs. The best Leaf sales month was June 2011, when 1,708 Leafs were sold.
As always, we'll have our detailed post about green vehicle sales up shortly, once all of the numbers are released.
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GM U.S. Sales Increase 10 percent
Chevrolet passenger car sales up 25 percent
2012-09-04
DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported August sales of 240,520 vehicles in the United States, up 10 percent compared with a year ago. GM increased its sales to retail customers by 11 percent, making August its best retail month of the year. Sales to fleet customers were up 6 percent compared with a year ago. All four GM brands posted higher total and retail sales.
Thanks in part to extensive national advertising during the Olympic Games, Chevrolet passenger car sales were up 25 percent, with the Spark, Sonic, Cruze and Volt all posting their best-ever monthly sales. In addition, the Chevrolet Equinox set an August record behind its 22 percent year-over-year sales increase.
"The single message Chevrolet communicated this summer was 'confidence' and it rang true with customers when they saw how our product lineup is being transformed," said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations. "All four of our brands are building momentum behind new products so we're very well positioned as the economy continues to slowly improve."
Other sales highlights for August include an 11 percent year over year increase in Cadillac sales driven by strong demand for the SRX crossover, the Escalade and the new XTS large sedan. Buick sales increased 12 percent on the strength of the Verano, which has seen nine back-to-back monthly sales increases. Buick recorded its best retail sales since September 2007. GMC sales were up 4 percent, following a 35 percent reduction in fleet sales. GMC Acadia sales rose 26 percent in August and GMC Terrain sales were up 16 percent.
GM is in the midst of an aggressive rollout of new products in the United States. Some 70 percent of GM nameplates will be redesigned or all new over the course of 2012 and 2013, with the four-cylinder 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2013 Cadillac ATS reaching the market now.
The redesigned Malibu arriving in dealerships will replace depleted stocks of 2012 models. The compact Cadillac ATS sport sedan is the brand's second all-new sedan this year and it will compete in the highest volume luxury segment in the United States.
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's brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words "expect," "anticipate," "possible," "potential," "target," "believe," "commit," "intend," "continue," "may," "would," "could," "should," "project," "projected," "positioned" or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to realize production efficiencies and to achieve reductions in costs as a result of our restructuring initiatives and labor modifications; our ability to maintain quality control over our vehicles and avoid material vehicle recalls; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt, including as required to fund our planned significant investment in new technology; the ability of our suppliers to timely deliver parts, components and systems; our ability to realize successful vehicle applications of new technology; and our ability to continue to attract new customers, particularly for our new products. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q provides information about these and other factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC.
Nissan North America Sales Increase 7.6% in August
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported August U.S. sales of 98,515 units versus 91,541 units a year earlier, up 7.6 percent. Nissan Division sales increased 5.9 percent for the month at 87,360 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 23.6 percent over the prior year, to 11,155 units.
NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS
INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.
About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.6 million vehicles in 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
GM U.S. Sales Increase 10 percent
Chevrolet passenger car sales up 25 percent
2012-09-04
DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported August sales of 240,520 vehicles in the United States, up 10 percent compared with a year ago. GM increased its sales to retail customers by 11 percent, making August its best retail month of the year. Sales to fleet customers were up 6 percent compared with a year ago. All four GM brands posted higher total and retail sales.
Thanks in part to extensive national advertising during the Olympic Games, Chevrolet passenger car sales were up 25 percent, with the Spark, Sonic, Cruze and Volt all posting their best-ever monthly sales. In addition, the Chevrolet Equinox set an August record behind its 22 percent year-over-year sales increase.
"The single message Chevrolet communicated this summer was 'confidence' and it rang true with customers when they saw how our product lineup is being transformed," said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations. "All four of our brands are building momentum behind new products so we're very well positioned as the economy continues to slowly improve."
Other sales highlights for August include an 11 percent year over year increase in Cadillac sales driven by strong demand for the SRX crossover, the Escalade and the new XTS large sedan. Buick sales increased 12 percent on the strength of the Verano, which has seen nine back-to-back monthly sales increases. Buick recorded its best retail sales since September 2007. GMC sales were up 4 percent, following a 35 percent reduction in fleet sales. GMC Acadia sales rose 26 percent in August and GMC Terrain sales were up 16 percent.
GM is in the midst of an aggressive rollout of new products in the United States. Some 70 percent of GM nameplates will be redesigned or all new over the course of 2012 and 2013, with the four-cylinder 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2013 Cadillac ATS reaching the market now.
The redesigned Malibu arriving in dealerships will replace depleted stocks of 2012 models. The compact Cadillac ATS sport sedan is the brand's second all-new sedan this year and it will compete in the highest volume luxury segment in the United States.
| 2012 Highlights |
Aug. Total Sales |
Total Change vs. Aug. 2011 |
Aug. Retail Sales |
Retail Change vs. Aug. 2011 |
CYTD Sales |
CYTD Change vs. 2011 |
CYTD Retail Sales |
CYTD |
| Chevrolet |
169,978 |
11.3% |
117,597 |
11.6% |
1,270,582 |
5.3% |
856,102 |
4.1% |
| GMC |
37,838 |
3.7% |
33,450 |
12.4% |
273,366 |
4.4% |
227,781 |
3.1% |
| Buick |
18,000 |
12.4% |
16,149 |
8.3% |
122,589 |
(3.1%) |
108,892 |
2.5% |
| Cadillac |
14,704 |
11.3% |
13,726 |
12.0% |
90,933 |
(9.5%) |
85,803 |
(2.4%) |
| Total GM |
240,520 |
10.1% |
180,922 |
11.4% |
1,757,470 |
3.7% |
1,278,578 |
3.3% |
| Inventory |
Units @ |
Days Supply (selling day adjusted) |
Units @ |
Days Supply |
Year-end Inventory Target |
Year-end Days Supply Target (selling day adjusted) |
| All Vehicles |
687,354 |
77 |
663,439 |
79 |
650,000 units (range) |
65 – 70 |
| Full-size Pickups |
249,411 |
122 |
238,165 |
136 |
200,000 – 220,000 units |
80 – 85 |
| Chevrolet Nameplate |
New Sales Record |
Old Sales Record |
Old Sales Record Month |
| Spark |
2,630 |
1,460 |
July 2012 |
| Sonic |
8,703 |
8,251 |
March 2012 |
| Cruze |
25,975 |
25,160 |
April 2011 |
| Volt |
2,831 |
2,289 |
March 2012 |
| Industry Sales |
Aug. SAAR (est.) |
CYTD SAAR (est.) |
Full Year 2012 (est.) |
| Light Vehicles |
14.6 million |
14.3 million |
14.0 million – 14.5 million |
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's brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words "expect," "anticipate," "possible," "potential," "target," "believe," "commit," "intend," "continue," "may," "would," "could," "should," "project," "projected," "positioned" or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to realize production efficiencies and to achieve reductions in costs as a result of our restructuring initiatives and labor modifications; our ability to maintain quality control over our vehicles and avoid material vehicle recalls; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt, including as required to fund our planned significant investment in new technology; the ability of our suppliers to timely deliver parts, components and systems; our ability to realize successful vehicle applications of new technology; and our ability to continue to attract new customers, particularly for our new products. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q provides information about these and other factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC.
Nissan North America Sales Increase 7.6% in August
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported August U.S. sales of 98,515 units versus 91,541 units a year earlier, up 7.6 percent. Nissan Division sales increased 5.9 percent for the month at 87,360 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 23.6 percent over the prior year, to 11,155 units.
NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS
- Nissan Division posted sales of 87,360 units, up 5.9 percent from last August's 82,517 units.
- Altima mid-size sedan sales totaled 25,889 units, up 12.5 percent from the prior year. Sales of the all-new 2013 Altima began in July.
- Nissan Rogue set an August record on sales of 12,626 of the crossover, up 10.1 percent from last year.
- Sales of Nissan trucks showed strength, with Frontier sales of 5,464 units up 12.8 percent over last year, sales of Pathfinder, at 2,472 units, up 18.1 percent over the prior year, and NV sales seeing a record August, up 19.4 percent to 783 units.
INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS
- Infiniti today reported sales of 11,155 units for August, an increase of 23.6 percent from 9,024 units a year earlier.
- Infiniti G Sedan, with sales of 5,123 units, had a 20.1 percent increase over the prior year and had its best-ever August.
- With 2,378 sales in August, the all-new Infiniti JX 7-passenger luxury crossover now has become Infiniti's second best-selling vehicle for the year since it went on sale in late March.
- Overall, Infiniti had its best August in seven years.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.
About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.6 million vehicles in 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
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