GM slips as fleet pullback continues - Automotive News
DETROIT -- General Motors’ U. S. sales slipped less than 1 percent in August, as the second straight monthly drop in fleet sales offset rising demand from individual buyers. GM said retail sales rose 6 percent. Fleet deliveries dropped 24 percent, amid a 38 percent decrease in rental-car sales. The drop in rental sales, which fell by about 15,000 vehicles vs. last year, reflects GM’s plan to curb its rental business as part of a broader strategy to boost retail sales and resale values. Meanwhile, more-profitable fleet lines grew: Sales to commercial customers rose 16 percent, and government sales grew 5 percent. “GM’s retail sales increase far outpaced the industry in August,” Kurt McNeil, GM’s U. S. vice president of sales operations, said in a statement. Chevy, which accounted for 68 percent of GM’s total August sales, saw deliveries slip 1. 5 percent amid declining car sales. GMC had the strongest performance of GM’s four brands and its best August in almost a decade, posting a 3. 5 percent gain, to 49,363 vehicles. Sales of the Sierra pickup (up 7 percent) and Acadia large crossover (up 10 percent) led GMC, along with more than 2,400 units of incremental sales of the Canyon midsize pickup, which went on sale in September. Source: www.autonews.com
