General Motors U.S. July Sales up 16%

The interiors of the GMT 900 pickups have the most striking changes. This is the 2014 GMC Sierra.

General Motors Company posted July sales of 234,071 vehicles in the United States in, up 16% compared with a year ago. Retail sales increased 23%, while fleet sales declined 6%. All four GM brands posted double-digit retail sales increases. Overall, the U.S. market rose 14% year-over-year during July as the U.S. auto sales recovery continues its slow comeback from the Great Recession.

GM by slightly outperforming the market easily held its Number One spot in U.S. Sales at 234,071. However, Ford Motor slipped to Number Three as Toyota had a stronger month with sales soaring to 193,394 to Ford’s 190,080.

“Our experience shows that the difference between good sales and great sales in a slow-growth economy is how many new products you have to offer, and we are starting to hit our sweet spot,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations.

GM pickup, van and SUV sales were up a combined 16%, with full-size pickups increasing 44% for the best July since 2007 mirroring sales gains at competitors. About 15% of full-size pickup sales of 58,662 were all-new GMT-900 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 2014 crew cabs. Double-cab models are now shipping to dealers and regular cab production begins later this summer.

If the secret to comedy is timing, it’s also the secret to profits in the automobile business. GM is in North America should be printing money during the back half of the year as its changeover is completed on the pickups. The full size direved SUVs follow next year.