Feb 01, 2011

GM reports solid 23% sales gain in January

11:31 AM

General Motors saw a 23% sales increase in January compared to the year before as customers returned to new-car showrooms.

Most encouraging was the 36% increase in so-called "retail" sales, individuals buying new cars, not just big sales to fleet cutomers like rental car agencies that are less profitable. Those fleet sales were down 7% compared to the same month a year ago.

Some of the biggest sales were coming on newer products. Combined sales for Chevrolet Equinox, Silverado HD, Chevrolet Cruze and Volt; Buick LaCrosse and Regal; GMC Sierra HD and Terrain; and Cadillac SRX, CTS Wagon and CTS Coupe increased 31% overall.

"January was a good month and signaled a solid start to the new year for each of our divisions," said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. "Our results were driven by gains across the board in all segments, with our newest models leading the way."

Sales of GM's full-size pickup trucks –- Chevrolet Silverado and Avalanche, and GMC Sierra –- improved 28% in January versus a year ago, with retail sales rising 37%. Total sales of GM full-size SUVs – Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade – rose 18% during the month.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... ary-rise/1