GMC momentum — Sales up 12.6 percent in first nine months of 2015

(October 29, 2015) DETROIT — Customers continue to embrace the premium design, technology and capability that define the GMC brand. Retail sales of GMC crossovers, trucks and SUVs in the U.S. are up 12.6 percent year over year in the first nine months of 2015 — more than twice the industry average increase.

GMC retail sales — those to individual customers — have risen for 20 straight months through September.

Year to date through September, GMC sold 353,273 vehicles at retail in the U.S. In September alone, GMC retail sales rose 20.5 percent. Total sales, including commercial customers and fleet orders, jumped 24 percent, the best September since 2004. GMC also had its best third quarter in 10 years.

Including commercial and export sales, GMC sold 499,343 crossovers, trucks and SUVs through September, up 11 percent from a year ago.

GMC’s product momentum continues with redesigned 2016 Sierra full-size light-duty and heavy-duty pickups; a new 2.8L Duramax diesel-powered 2016 Canyon midsize pickup; and a 2016 Terrain with enhanced styling.

“This sustained growth in sales and our 44-percent conquest rate tell us the precision-crafted elements of our crossovers, trucks and SUVs are connecting with discerning customers seeking refinement and capability,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of GMC marketing. “I expect our new introductions will continue the great success we’re experiencing at GMC.”

The luxury-focused Denali trim level, available on Terrain, Acadia, Sierra, Sierra HD and Yukon, represents 22 percent of total retail sales but nearly 60 percent of Yukon and Yukon XL sales and more than 45 percent of Sierra HD retail sales.



Here’s a model-by-model look at GMC retail sales highlights for the first nine months of the year:

Sierra: Sierra large pickup sales are up 4.7 percent year over year (up 16.2 in September), for its best third-quarter sales since 2005 and best September since 2004.

For 2016, the redesigned Sierra and Sierra Denali offer new standard and available technologies such as lane keep assist, High-Performance LED headlamps and power assist steps that articulate rearward to serve as a bed access step. Sierra HD adds digital steering assist that provides enhanced responsiveness and improved road holding. Both Sierra and Sierra HD add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (later availability) compatibility.

Acadia: Year-to-date, Acadia large crossover sales are up 19.8 percent (up 4 percent in September) for its sixth consecutive best-ever month, nine straight months of year-over-year growth, best-ever quarter and best September sales ever. The 2016 Acadia and Acadia Denali feature enhanced connectivity with OnStar 4G LTE with built-in WiFi hotspot.

Terrain: Sales of the Terrain compact SUV are up 3.7 percent calendar year to date. It had its best September, up 21.8 percent, and best quarter ever. The 2016 Terrain and Terrain Denali feature a new, fresh appearance and enhanced connectivity features. With the available 3.6L V-6, the Terrain produces best-in-class 301 horsepower.

Yukon/Yukon XL: September retail sales of GMC’s full-size SUVs were up 6.2 percent and 16.9 percent year over year, respectively.

Canyon: GMC’s fast-selling midsize pickup and Autoweek’s Best of the Best Truck for 2015, Canyon has helped reinvent the segment. With a conquest rate of 56 percent – 24 percent from imports – the truck also has brought new buyers to GMC.

Canyon features the segment’s highest highway fuel efficiency, horsepower, payload and trailering ability — and will offer even more capability with a new powerful and efficient 2.8L Duramax diesel engine that produces the segment’s highest torque. Canyon also is the first midsize truck to offer a built-in 4G LTE connection.