GM sales up 3 percent over May 2014; Ford slips 1.5 percent

(June 2, 2015) DETROIT — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 293,097 vehicles in May, for General Motors' best May sales since 2007 and its best month since August 2008. Total sales were up 3 percent year over year and retail sales were up 7 percent. Pickup trucks and crossovers were especially strong sellers.

At Ford, total U.S. sales of 250,813 vehicles for May declined 1 percent from a year ago. Retail sales of 171,535 vehicles decline 2 percent. Fleet sales of 79,278 vehicles are flat. The bright spot for Ford is the all-new Ford Edge, which established a May sales record, up 34 percent and turning in just 13 days on dealer lots. The 2016 Explorer went on sale in May, and retail sales increased 24 percent. Explorer is America’s best-selling mid-size utility with its best May retail sales results since 2004.

“We continue to see strong consumer demand for our newest products, including Edge, F-150, Mustang, Transit Vans and Lincoln MKC,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Our all-new F-150 is still turning on dealer lots in 26 days against tight supply, and F-150 average transaction prices set a record in May, as customers continued buying a rich mix of high-series pickups.”

At General Motors, the Chevrolet Silverado’s estimated retail segment share was 27 percent in May, according to J.D. Power PIN data, up 3 percentage points year over year. Calendar year to date, the truck’s retail segment share is 26 percent, up 1 percentage point.

“Chevrolet has the hot hand in the pickup market thanks to our three-truck strategy,” said Kurt McNeil, General Motors’ U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Our market share is growing and our strategy is to retain these customers with the best overall ownership experience.”

Demand for the all-new Colorado midsize pickup is rising faster than GM’s ability to increase production, even with the addition of a third production shift in March. With 8,881 sales in May, the Colorado controls about one-quarter of the retail market for midsize pickups and it has been the industry’s fastest-selling pickup for four consecutive months. Its “days to turn” is only 13 days, according to PIN, and retail inventory is 11 days.

Demand is also soaring for Chevrolet crossovers, which had their best sales ever in May. The Equinox was up 30 percent compared to a year ago and the Traverse rose 2 percent. Retail deliveries for the Equinox and Traverse were up 15 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The all-new Trax small crossover also continues to gain momentum, with 5,707 deliveries.

Growth at GMC, which focuses exclusively on trucks and crossovers, is far outpacing the industry. The brand had its best May since 2005, up 12 percent year over year. The GMC Sierra was up 4 percent. Terrain had its best May sales ever, with sales up 11 percent, the Acadia had its best month ever, with sales up 67 percent, and the new Canyon contributed 2,901 units. Calendar year to date, GMC sales are up 15 percent.