(April 2, 2013) DETROIT — General Motors sold 245,950 vehicles in the United States in March, up 6 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales increased 4 percent, fleet sales were up 12 percent and the fleet mix was 27 percent of total sales.

“GM delivered its best March sales in five years thanks to a strengthening economy and new products, and we are expecting our third consecutive increase in market share versus last year ,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations.

“Sales of smaller cars have been robust for some time. Trucks have improved in lockstep with the housing market and the strength of the crossover market signals that America’s families are more confident about their financial health.”

March Highlights (vs. 2012)

    • Cadillac was up almost 50 percent; Buick was up 37 percent; GMC was up 12 percent; and Chevrolet sales were essentially equal to a year ago.

    • Crossovers were up 31 percent; trucks, which include pickups, vans and SUVs, were up 2 percent; car sales were down 3 percent; large pickup sales were up 6 percent.

    • Small business sales, which are included in retail sales, were up 32 percent to almost 15,000 deliveries, aided by a stronger housing market.

    • Sales of GM’s redesigned mid-size crossovers were up 62 percent. The Chevrolet Traverse was up 54 percent; the GMC Acadia was up 77 percent, and the Buick Enclave was up 55 percent for its best-ever March sales.

    • The all-new Cadillac ATS had its best sales month yet with deliveries of 3,587 units.

    • In its second full month, the all-new Buick Encore had sales of more than 3,000 units, driving a 19 percent increase in GM small and compact crossover sales.