GM announced today that its July US car sales figures were down, and also indicated that it wasn't surprised.
Just as Ford cited a decrease in fleet sales as an explanation for its lower sales figures, GM is blaming its sluggish numbers on a decrease in sales to rental companies.
The 201,237 vehicle sales last month represent a decrease of 6 percent from July 2011. While sales to individual retail customers were down no more than 3 percent, sales to rental fleet customers were down 41 percent.
In announcing the sales figures today, GM said that it had predicted the drop in rental company sales. Deliveries to rental customers already occurred in sharp numbers this year much earlier in the year 2011.
Despite the low overall numbers, there were several bright spots. Cadillac sales were up 21 percent; and GM pronounced itself pleased with the sales performances of its newest models. The Buick Verano sold 4,235 units, continuing its monthly climb since it launched in December 2011. The Chevrolet Sonic sold 6,278 units, and continuing to hold the place as segment leader it has held since April. The Chevrolet Spark delivered 1,460 units in its first month in dealers.
Additionally, GM saw an increase of 41 percent in its commercial fleet sales a 28th monthly consecutive increase. The company also saw a 115-percent increase in government sales that it attributes largely to police sales (a reason for Ford's fleet-sales decrease, perhaps?).
In spite of these spikes, GM's total fleet sales were down 15 percent.
"Cadillac hit a home run and our newest Chevrolets and Buicks are performing very well," Kurt McNeil, vice president of US sales operations, said in a statement. "Signs of a housing recovery and good news on consumer confidence and household income should help keep the light vehicle selling rate in the 14-million range and drive seasonally higher truck sales as we move toward fall."
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