OREANDA-NEWS. Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 259,353 vehicles in June 2015. Retail deliveries climbed 7 percent year over year, and they were up more than the industry for the third month in a row. The drivers were stronger Cadillac sales, a 12 percent gain at GMC and a 9 percent increase at Chevrolet. Together, they helped make the month General Motors’ (NYSE: GM) best June for retail deliveries since 2007 and its best June for retail market share since 2011.

GM increased its sales to commercial customers, and state and local government fleets, as well. Rental deliveries, which tend to be less profitable than retail sales, were down 45 percent as a result of GM’s previously announced plan. Total fleet sales in June were down 29 percent year over year, or 21,366 units. GM’s total sales were down 3 percent.

“We just wrapped up the U.S. auto industry’s best six months in a decade, driven by strong demand for pickups and crossovers,” said Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “People feel good about their jobs and the direction the economy as a whole is taking, so the second half of the year should be strong too, and that’s especially good news for Chevrolet and GMC, brands that have very broad truck and crossover portfolios.”

Industry sales continue to exceed expectations. GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in June was 17.3 million units.

During the first half of 2015, GM gained retail market share in both the crossover and truck segments, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates. GM’s crossover share is 12.6 percent, up 0.4 percentage points compared to a year ago. GM’s truck, van and SUV share is 38.9 percent, up 2.1 percentage points.

Most of the truck market share gain comes from the ongoing success of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups, which were redesigned for the 2014 model year. Since calendar year 2013, GM’s retail share of the segment has grown 0.9 percentage points to 38 percent, according to PIN.

Market share and average transaction prices (ATPs) were particularly strong in the second quarter of 2015. According to PIN, GM’s retail share in the segment was up 2.8 points year over year to 40.2 percent. ATPs were up almost $1,000 per unit, and incentives were flat.

June Sales Highlights vs. 2014 (except as noted)
Total Sales

Chevrolet

  • Pickup deliveries were up 33 percent.  The Silverado was up 18 percent.
  • Colorado sales were 6,558 units, and it remains America’s fastest-selling pickup with a “days to turn” of 15 days. The truck had its best June sales since 2007.
  • The Trax, Chevrolet’s newest crossover, had sales of 5,971 units for its best month since launch. It helped Chevrolet deliver its best June crossover sales ever.
  • The Spark, which was up 4 percent, had its best June ever.

GMC

  • GMC pickup deliveries were up 37 percent, with the Sierra up 21 percent. Deliveries of the new Canyon totaled 2,532 units.
  • The Acadia, GMC’s flagship crossover, was up 17 percent.

Buick

  • Encore deliveries were up 33 percent for the small crossover’s 18th consecutive year-over-year sales increase.

Cadillac

  • SRX deliveries were up 24 percent for its best June ever.

Fleet and Commercial

  • Commercial deliveries were up 4 percent in June, with full-size pickups up 18 percent. Through June, commercial deliveries have grown year over year for 20 consecutive months and they are up 20 percent calendar year to date.
  • State and local government sales were up 6 percent in June, with full-size pickup and Tahoe PPV deliveries more than doubling. State and local government sales are up 19 percent calendar year to date.  
  • Rental deliveries in June were down 45 percent, per plan. Through the first six months of 2015, rental deliveries are down 7 percent, per plan. Total fleet deliveries are up calendar year to date.
  • GM plans to reduce year-over-year rental deliveries in the second half of 2015 and in calendar year 2016.

Retail Sales

Chevrolet

  • The Silverado was up 22 percent, surpassing the Ford F-Series.
  • The Traverse crossover was up 3 percent, the Camaro was up 14 percent and the Spark was up 31 percent.
  • Both the Malibu and Impala posted sales increases.   

GMC

  • GMC has grown its retail sales for 17 consecutive months.
  • The Acadia was up 24 percent for its best June ever. Sierra was up 13 percent.

Buick

  • Encore deliveries were up 22 percent.

Cadillac

  • Cadillac was up 3 percent. The SRX was up 45 percent for its best June retail sales ever. The ATS was up 6 percent and CTS sedan sales were up 7 percent.

Average Transaction Prices (PIN)

  • June ATPs were approximately $34,000, up $880 per unit year over year. They are up more than $1,300 per unit calendar year to date.
  • Incentive spending as a percentage of ATP was 11.2 percent in June, up 0.1 percentage points year over year. Industry average spending was 9.9 percent of ATP.
  • In the first half of 2015, incentive spending was 10.4 percent of ATP, down 0.2 percentage points. Industry average spending was 10.1 percent, up 0.2 points.