General Motors January Sales Increase 14%

Malibu is the best-selling Chevy car at more than three times Camaro's volume.

U.S. dealers for General Motors delivered 146,825 vehicles in January of 2010, a sales increase of 14% from the previous year.

The surviving post-bankruptcy “core brands,”  Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac,  reported retail sales of 102,420, up 3% compared to January 2009, and 145,098 in total sales, or +30%.

GM attributed the positive results to the continued growth of new crossovers and passenger cars.

The upshot is that GM is slowly improving, but still has major sales and brand restoring work in front of it – if it wants to increase profitability and retain, or perhaps increase marketshare during the coming year. It is 8,000 units ahead in total units when compared to last January.

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac made up 98% of retail sales in January, compared to 85% a year earlier. U.S. retail sales, including the other defunct brands, were 104,122 during the month. This represents a 10% decline from a year ago, according to GM, since Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer sales were drastically ( -90%) lower.

GM dealers delivered 42,703 fleet vehicles, or 29% of total deliveries for the month.

“This is the fourth month in a row that Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have shown a collective year-over-year retail sales increase,” said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. “Our long-term plan to continue to focus and strengthen our brands is delivering results.”

In the pony car wars, Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros – the eighth straight month it has outsold Mustang.  Chart follows.   –

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