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May Sales Up 6.5% at General Motors
DETROIT -- General Motors dealers sold 446,787 new cars and trucks in May, up 6.5% compared to May 2003. This was GM's best sales performance for the calendar year-to-date. GM's truck sales (276,746) were up 11% and car sales (170,041) were flat compared to year-ago levels (-0.4%)."We had our strongest sales results so far this year, with trucks leading the charge," said John Smith, group vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Consumers are weathering the passing storm related to the temporary increase in fuel prices and voting their preferences by purchasing record numbers of pickups and SUVs. A strengthening economy combined with record vehicle affordability allowed consumers to purchase vehicles of their choice. Although we have seen little evidence that rising fuel prices are impacting sales mix, GM is well positioned in this area, offering more fuel-efficient cars and trucks across more vehicle segments than any other manufacturer."Sales of the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire, both manufactured at GM's assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, fared far less well. Cavalier sales totaled 17,477 units in May, down 22.8% from May 2003. Sunfire sales, meanwhile, dropped 39.7% to 2,179 units last month.Year to date, Cavalier sales have dropped 10% or 84,755 units. Sunfire sales decreased by 2%, or 14,845 units.GM's truck sales established another industry record in May with a double-digit increase compared to year-ago levels. Sales were up in virtually every segment of the truck market, including full-size pickups; full-size, mid-size and small utilities; and full-size vans. GM led the industry once again with 90,531 full-size pickup sales, resulting in a 5% increase on the strength of combined Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra sales.Sales of GM's sport utility vehicles (131,411) jumped 19%, establishing another industry benchmark and achieving its best ever May sales performance. This was the third month this year that SUV deliveries surpassed 100,000 units. Full-size utility deliveries were up 8.5% (53,544), paced by strong sales of the Chevrolet Suburban (12,479) and the GMC Yukon (8,347).GM's car sales were flat compared to year-ago levels. Among GM's launch vehicles, Chevrolet Aveo sales (4,993) were 28% above April, achieving its best sales month to date. Chevrolet Malibu sales (12,110) improved 28% over April sales.Other Chevrolet launch vehicles also had healthy sales in May. Equinox sales continued to build with 8,945 deliveries, a 38% increase compared to April. Colorado, Chevrolet's new mid-size pick-up, had strong sales in May (12,349), up 18% from last month and its best sales performance since launch. Sales of the Silverado and Avalanche contributed significantly to GM's overall truck sales with 71,193 deliveries. Corvette also had strong sales with 3,420 deliveries, up 45.5%.In May, GM North America produced 451,000 vehicles (172,000 cars and 279,000 trucks) in North America, compared to 492,000 vehicles (200,000 cars and 292,000 trucks) produced in May 2003. Production totals include joint venture production of 22,000 vehicles in May 2004 and 12,500 vehicles in May 2003.GM North America's current 2004 second-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.38 million vehicles (539,000 cars and 841,000 trucks). Also, GM North America's initial 2004 third-quarter production forecast is set at 1.2 million vehicles (475,000 cars and 725,000 trucks). In the third quarter of 2003, GM North America built 1.245 million vehicles (492,000 cars and 753,000 trucks).General Motors Corp., the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries, and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. Visit General Motors Corp.: www.gm.com"