The leading U.S. automaker  General Motors (GM, Financial) recorded a 3.3% U.S. sales decline to 308,539 units for December. As far as 2017 is concerned, the company could sell 3,002,242 vehicles (down 1.3% from 2016). That includes more than 1.3 million trucks and 965,090 crossovers. Retail sales during the same period dropped nearly 1% to 2,424,419 units. As for December, pickup sales were impressive with more than 1 million units delivered.
Source: www.goodcarbadcar.net
By the numbers
Fleet deliveries went down 21.8% to 54,090 units in December. Fleet accounted for 17.5% of total December sales. Retail sales, on the other hand, surged 1.8% on a year-over-year basis to 254,449 units and accounted for the remaining 82.5%.
The company’s average transaction price came in at more than $35,400 for the whole year, which was more than the industry average of $31,400; ATP exceeded $38,000 in December. In fact, the company’s incentive, when taken as a percentage of ATP, was 13.3% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Commercial and government deliveries surged a combined 7% in 2017 to 296,000. On the contrary, daily rental deliveries plunged 40% as compared with 2016. Inventories at the end of December 2017 stood at 752,554, which represented a 63 days’ supply.
How did the brands perform?
Chevrolet sales slumped 2.9% year-over-year to 206,804 units. Chevrolet’s market share has risen to 11.5% and ATP exceeded $34,000. The notable fact about December 2017 was that the company sold 3,227 Bolt vehicles, which was its best monthly sales total. Bolt sales have now risen for nine consecutive months last year on a month-over-month basis. Equinox sales totaled 32,784 units, up 20.55% from December 2016. On the other hand, Malibu sales plunged nearly 27% to 16,628 units.
Source: www.goodcarbadcar.net
Buick’s December sales climbed 4.7% year-over-year to 22,285 units while retail deliveries soared 15%. Enclave sales rose 40% to 5,326 units while its retail sales jumped 46%. Furthermore, Encore sales increased 3.83% to 8,052 vehicles. Envision sales surged 54.04% to 6,056 units; retail sales increased 93%. In contrast, LaCrosse sales decreased 51% to 1,385 units as compared with December 2016.
Cadillac’s December sales rose 28.6% to 15,304 vehicles. While sales of a number of models such as ATS, CT6, XT5 and XTS decreased when compared with the prior year, the brand set a new monthly record for ATP which came in at $58,300.
GMC’s December sales climbed 1.2% to 64,146 units. December was the best month for the brand on volume basis on more than 12 years. The brand’s retail deliveries soared 14%; its market share increased to 4.1%. A number of factors contributed to its growth. Sierra sales increased 13.51% to 26,436 units while its retail deliveries rose 18% on a year-over-year basis. GMC Yukon sales surged nearly 36% to 8,531 units; retail deliveries rose a mammoth 54%. In contrast, Acadia sales tumbled 11.09% to 10,837 units.
Last word
The Detroit-based automaker ended the year with record-breaking figures in pickup and crossover deliveries, electric vehicles sales and average transaction prices (ATPs). The company currently is focusing on the crossover segment and has already started offering a new and fresh lineup of crossovers, such as the 2018 Chevy Equinox, 2018 GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, 2018 Buick Enclave and the Buick Regal TourX ruggedized wagon.
Disclosure: I do not hold any position in the stock mentioned in this article.
