GM Reports 310,008 October Deliveries, Posting Third Consecutive Year-Over-Year Monthly Increase

[Bruce Nunnally]

* Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac Increased Sales Year-Over-Year

* Full-Size Utilities and All-New Crossovers Post Significant Gains

* 2008 Malibu Orders Outpace Available Supply

* All-New CTS Drives 20 Percent Cadillac Sales Increase

DETROIT - GM dealers in the United States delivered 310,008 vehicles in October, 8,700 more vehicles when compared with year-ago performance, outpacing an industry expected to show a volume decline of about 4 percent.

For the third consecutive month, on an unadjusted basis, total sales increased, with October up 3 percent. When adjusted for selling days, sales declined 1 percent. It is anticipated that GM will see its fourth consecutive month with market share above 24 percent. Since August, market share is up more than 1 point, to 25.1 percent, compared with the same three month period last year.

The month's 229,294 retail deliveries demonstrated solid performance despite continuing industry softness. GM retail sales were led by brisk retail sales of full-size utilities, mid-utility crossovers, the Cadillac CTS, and the Chevrolet Aveo, Cobalt and HHR. The Saturn division showed yet another retail sales increase, up 7 percent.

"Our strong market share performance and our ability to outpace industry trends on volume demonstrates the consumer acceptance of our new products," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Over the past two years, our new products including the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Cadillac CTS, full-size utilities, and mid-crossovers have all gained retail share following launch. Our committed dealer team has really stepped up to the plate, pushing all of GM's brands above the industry average in the recently released J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index."

Cadillac CTS total sales surged 75 percent, compared with year-ago performance, due to the strength of the all-new CTS, now in showrooms. GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave together had total sales of more than 12,800 vehicles, pushing a more than 320-percent increase in GM's mid-crossover segment. Additionally, Cadillac's SRX luxury crossover saw a total sales increase of 37 percent. Total sales of the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 were up 81 percent, Chevrolet Aveo was up 58 percent and HHR was up 70 percent compared with last October.

Vehicles with retail sales increases, compared with year-ago levels, include: Chevrolet Aveo, Cobalt, Tahoe, Suburban, and HHR; Saturn ION; GMC Yukon and Yukon XL; Cadillac CTS and SRX; Pontiac G5, Grand Prix and Vibe.

"Cadillac CTS and Buick Enclave have two of the fastest turn rates in the industry," LaNeve added. "And while it is still very early, Malibu demand and customer feedback has been sensational. It's products like these that have enabled us to buck recent industry trends."

Quality, reliability and durability (QRD) remain key factors when purchasing a new vehicle. An increasing number of consumers cite GM's willingness to stand behind its quality as a reason to buy a new GM vehicle. GM's 5 Year/100,000 Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty continues to be a better choice for customers.

GM's coverage focuses on the complete ownership experience and includes other provisions that competitors do not offer, including transferability to the next owner, more complete coverage of parts, and coverage for new and certified used vehicles. In addition, GM offers superior complementary programs, such as courtesy transportation and roadside assistance. "GM provides the best coverage in the industry. We take care of the vehicle and the owner like no other manufacturer," LaNeve added.

Certified Used Vehicles Sales

October 2007 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 39,919 vehicles, down nearly 7 percent from last October. Total year-to-date certified GM sales are 442,110 vehicles, up 1 percent from the same period last year.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted 34,843 sales, down 6 percent from last October. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 388,442 vehicles, up 3 percent from the same period in 2006.

Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted October sales of 3,255 vehicles, down 11 percent from last October. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,173 vehicles in October, down 9 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 518 vehicles, down 13 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 130 vehicles, up 59 percent.

"While sales of GM Certified Used Vehicles were lower this October, year-to-date sales are up 3 percent and we expect to continue to surpass last year's category-leading annual sales," said LaNeve.

"Our customers enjoy a broad selection of fully inspected and reconditioned late-model used vehicles with the peace-of-mind assurances of one of the industry's best warranty programs," LaNeve added.

[BodybyFisher]

Where are all the Toyota gloom and doomers now... GM is building a good attractive car now. The new CTS is outstanding

[Cadillac Jim]

There are a lot of world-class cars in the GM line now. Every line has them, even Chevrolet.

According to the announcers in the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT at Laguna Seca in the replay last Sunday, Cadillac finished with a Randy Pilgrim win and another CTS-V in the top five, giving Cadillac the manufacturer's championship in the series. But, they stated several times that Cadillac was dropping the manufacturer sponsorship next year.

[coolnesss]

But, they stated several times that Cadillac was dropping the manufacturer sponsorship next year.

What in the world were they thinking when they decided that?

Seems like Cadillac took one step forward, three steps back!

[Bruce Nunnally]

The CTS-VR's will still race apparently, but in private hands not as a factory effort. The argument they said on TV was that since the CTS-V was taking a year off in 2008 then it did not make sense to have a factory CTS-V racing effort for the year. I was surprised when LG Motorsports Corvettes pulled out of that series at the end of this year also, and put their cars up for sale. I think there is more to the story but has something to do with the series itself and rules changes, the way the individual races were officiated, etc.