• GM Estimates the Brands Will Increase Combined Total and Retail Market Share

DETROIT – Buick and GMC dealers in the U.S. reported sales for those brands in March that were 54 percent higher than March 2009. This led to an overall gain of 43 percent for the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands in the U.S. Total combined sales for GM's four brands were 185,406 during the month. This represents a 34-percent increase from February 2010.

These results are evidence that the company's plan to create sustainable and profitable growth is on track, according to Susan Docherty, GM vice president of marketing. "Our March results show continued progress toward our growth plan. By investing in our brands and remaining disciplined in our approach to the U.S. market, we posted solid results," said Docherty. "Our new vehicles, like the Chevrolet Equinox, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX, are being well-received by customers for many good reasons, including quality, safety, excellent fuel economy, and higher resale values."

Buick sales rose 76 percent and were led by the Buick LaCrosse, with an increase of 236 percent for the month. Year-to-date, sales of the LaCrosse have increased 197 percent.

GMC sales increased by 45 percent for the month, led by sales of the GMC Terrain, which were up 331 percent for the month versus the vehicle it replaced. For the year, sales of the Terrain are up 245 percent.

Chevrolet dealers reported sales of 133,165 – 41 percent higher than March 2009. The Chevrolet Equinox continued to sell at a brisk pace, with sales up 194 percent, compared to last year. Year-to-date, sales of the Equinox have more than doubled.

In order to meet growing customer demand for the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, GM announced plans to add additional production capacity last week.

Cadillac March sales increased 42 percent on high demand for the Cadillac SRX. March sales of the SRX were 550 percent higher than a year ago, and are up more than 425 percent for the year.

Month-end dealer inventory in the U.S. stood at about 428,000 units, which is about 8,000 higher compared to February 2010, and about 338,000 lower than March 2009.

•Crossovers for GM's four brands doubled sales in March compared to last year

•CYTD Sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac are up 36 percent.

•Combined Total and Retail sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have increased year-over-year for six straight months.

About General Motors: GGeneral Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

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The DTS was up 80%, so either it was a good fleet sale month, or a lot of people in Florida got their tax return checks early. CTS down 26%, it has been struggling lately. The SRX and LaCrosse are selling better than I thought they would. With Saturn and Pontiac gone, Buick and Chevy should both see increases all year long. Then the question will be can they have increases again in 2011.

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I don't recall ever seeing a sales press release where the year over year % change per selling day wasn't even mentioned.

I can't believe that even with all the negative press, Toyota still managed to post a 35.3% increase to GM's 15.9%.

I do wonder how much of that was fleet. Our local Enterprise has a fair number of new toyotas, which is not something that was common in the past. GM products, on the other hand, are become more rare on Enterprise lots.