Trucks are leading the recovery.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that it delivered 492,489 vehicles in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease in total vehicle sales of about -34% compared to a year ago. However, GM said demand outpaced supply in the latter half of the quarter.
“While the industry experienced significant declines due to the outbreak of COVID-19, full-size pickup truck sales performed exceptionally well, and overall sales showed signs of recovery, especially deliveries to retail customers,” GM claimed.
Retail sales were down by about 24% in the quarter, roughly in line with the industry. Retail sales in April were down the most in the quarter, off by about -35% compared to last year, but recovered significantly in May and June with year-over-year declines of around -20%.
Availability of models on dealer lots is expected to start growing now that most manufacturing assembly plants have returned to normal operating levels. U.S. pickup truck and full-size SUV plants returned to three shifts and nearly all car and crossover plants returned to the same number of shifts as pre-pandemic levels.
Most GM U.S. plants, including all truck and SUV plants, will continue to operate during the traditional two-week summer shutdown. GM’s increasing output will be devoted to restocking retail channels with capacity made available by lower rental volumes.
GM said it is collaborating with logistics and trucking companies to ensure vehicles are shipping as soon as they are produced. The company is well positioned with both strong empty railcar supply and haul-away capacity to respond quickly and enable the flow of new vehicles to dealers.
“Although the economy has a long way to go from a very low base, vehicle sales responded strongly in May to the expiration of many stay-at-home orders,” noted GM Chief Economist, Elaine Buckberg.
“After falling into a deep recession in March, the U.S. economy has begun to recover as it reopens. Auto sales are benefiting from historically low interest rates that make now an attractive time to buy a vehicle for many customers. We expect continued sales recovery as businesses ramp back up but recognize that the path forward may not be linear, as rising infections in many states may lead to steps backward in the reopening process,” said Buckberg.
The company’s most recent crossover launches continued their momentum in the quarter. Since the Chevrolet Blazer launched in January 2019, sales have been steadily increasing, and are up 68% year over year in the second quarter. The all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX have been performing well in a highly competitive segment. They’ve been gaining retail market share every month since launch and combined, have captured more than 10% of the small SUV segment according to the latest J.D. Power PIN data. Next to launch is GM’s portfolio of full-size SUVs, including the redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade, now available with enhanced Super Cruise.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
GM Reports Q2 US Sales at -34% Year-over-Year
Trucks are leading the recovery.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that it delivered 492,489 vehicles in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease in total vehicle sales of about -34% compared to a year ago. However, GM said demand outpaced supply in the latter half of the quarter.
“While the industry experienced significant declines due to the outbreak of COVID-19, full-size pickup truck sales performed exceptionally well, and overall sales showed signs of recovery, especially deliveries to retail customers,” GM claimed.
Retail sales were down by about 24% in the quarter, roughly in line with the industry. Retail sales in April were down the most in the quarter, off by about -35% compared to last year, but recovered significantly in May and June with year-over-year declines of around -20%.
Availability of models on dealer lots is expected to start growing now that most manufacturing assembly plants have returned to normal operating levels. U.S. pickup truck and full-size SUV plants returned to three shifts and nearly all car and crossover plants returned to the same number of shifts as pre-pandemic levels.
Most GM U.S. plants, including all truck and SUV plants, will continue to operate during the traditional two-week summer shutdown. GM’s increasing output will be devoted to restocking retail channels with capacity made available by lower rental volumes.
GM said it is collaborating with logistics and trucking companies to ensure vehicles are shipping as soon as they are produced. The company is well positioned with both strong empty railcar supply and haul-away capacity to respond quickly and enable the flow of new vehicles to dealers.
“Although the economy has a long way to go from a very low base, vehicle sales responded strongly in May to the expiration of many stay-at-home orders,” noted GM Chief Economist, Elaine Buckberg.
“After falling into a deep recession in March, the U.S. economy has begun to recover as it reopens. Auto sales are benefiting from historically low interest rates that make now an attractive time to buy a vehicle for many customers. We expect continued sales recovery as businesses ramp back up but recognize that the path forward may not be linear, as rising infections in many states may lead to steps backward in the reopening process,” said Buckberg.
The company’s most recent crossover launches continued their momentum in the quarter. Since the Chevrolet Blazer launched in January 2019, sales have been steadily increasing, and are up 68% year over year in the second quarter. The all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX have been performing well in a highly competitive segment. They’ve been gaining retail market share every month since launch and combined, have captured more than 10% of the small SUV segment according to the latest J.D. Power PIN data. Next to launch is GM’s portfolio of full-size SUVs, including the redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade, now available with enhanced Super Cruise.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.