Mumbai: US General Motors, today announced June sales results, highlighted by an 8 per cent rise in retail car sales and continued strong performance in crossovers. Despite the significant decline of industry market volume and the limited availability of some of GM's most popular models, GM dealers in the US delivered 265,937 vehicles in June, down 8 per cent (18.5 per cent unadjusted). Truck sales dropped by 6 per cent.

Chevrolet Malibu total sales were up 95 per cent with retail sales up 129 per cent, Cobalt sales were up 37 per cent total and 27 per cent retail, HHR was up 39 per cent total and 70 per cent retail, Equinox was up 64 per cent total and 42 per cent retail, while Suburban and Tahoe were both up in total sales – 13 and 1 per cent respectively.

Pontiac retail sales went up by 14 per cent led by G6 up 27 per cent, Vibe up 24 per cent, G5 and Solstice were up 6 per cent compared with June 2007.

The Saturn division had strong sales in June with Sky total sales up 62 per cent, Aura up 41 per cent and Vue up 40 per cent. The Astra had sales of nearly 900 vehicles.

Cadillac had a strong performance with CTS total sales increasing 31 per cent and a retail increase of 10 per cent compared with the same month a year ago. SRX and STS both had 26 per cent total sales increases.

GM's popular crossover Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook together accounted for more than 8,800 vehicle sales in the month as demand for the vehicles continues to strain available supply.

GM hybrid vehicles continue to gain in popularity in the marketplace with 547 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon 2-mode SUVs delivered. There were 295 Chevrolet Malibu, 30 Saturn Aura and 277 Vue hybrids sold in June. For the month, a total of 1,149 hybrid vehicles were delivered, with 4,376 hybrids sold so far this year.

GM has aggressively managed inventories to low levels. In June, only about 788,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 267,000 vehicles compared with last June. The 72 Hour Sale at the end of June was targeted at the 2008 vehicles left in inventory. Combined full-size pickup and utility inventory is down about 124,000 vehicles compared with June a year ago. The sale helped rebalance inventory to a stronger car mix.

There were about 238,000 cars and 550,000 trucks in inventory at the end of June. GM also revised its 2008 industry annual sales forecast to approximately 15 million total vehicle SAAR, down from the mid-15 million total vehicle SAAR range estimated earlier this year. The continuing impact of higher fuel prices and lack of robust economic growth led to the revision.

June 2008 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 41,857 vehicles, down nearly 9 per cent from June 2007. Year-to-date sales are 256,543 vehicles, down 6 per cent from the same period last year.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling certified brand, posted June sales of 36,445 vehicles, down 10 per cent from a strong June 2007 sales performance. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,270 vehicles, up 5 pe rcent. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,168 vehicles, down 21 per cent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 841 vehicles, up 10 per cent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 133 vehicles, up 37 per cent.

''The Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle programs posted solid sales increases in June, while GM Certified Used Vehicles continued its sales leadership in the category,'' said LaNeve. ''We expect growing consumer consideration in coming months for the value and peace-of-mind assurances that come standard on all certified GM vehicles.''

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