GM truck sales continue to surge as competitors lose ground

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
6/2/2015

GM was one of the first automakers to release May sales figures this month. It is no surprise they rushed the information to print. Sales have continued to climb with pickup trucks leading the charge. Pickup truck sales are up 30% this month, and it is not just because of the new Colorado and Canyon. The Silverado was up 10% over last May and is running ahead of last year by about 14%. All of GMs trucks and full-sized SUVs are selling strongly with the Suburban up about 20% over last year.

The Colorado and Canyon are basically all-new, so comparisons to past performance are not significant. However, GM's Colorado now has one-quarter of the U.S. mid-size pickup market. It would have more, but the plants producing cannot keep up with demand even at three full shifts. Colorados are selling faster than any truck right now with time on the dealer lot averaging just 11 days. In fairness to Toyota, we should point out that its Tacoma is also selling as fast as Toyota can built them. Clearly the mid-size pickup market is growing by leaps and bounds.

 

Car sales at GM are not as rosy. Many models have declined in year over year sales. GM does not seemed worried by this. Kurt McNeil, General Motors’ U.S. vice president of Sales Operations said about today's numbers, “Chevrolet has the hot hand in the pickup market thanks to our three-truck strategy. Our market share is growing and our strategy is to retain these customers with the best overall ownership experience.”

 

 

[SteveBBB]

Demand for the all-new Colorado midsize pickup is rising faster than GM’s ability to increase production, even with the addition of a third production shift in March. With 8,881 sales in May, the Colorado controls about one-quarter of the retail market for midsize pickups and it has been the industry’s fastest-selling pickup for four consecutive months. Its “days to turn” is only 13 days, according to PIN, and retail inventory is 11 days.

 

 

Probably no big rebates for a while!

[truckofwinandawesome]

its too bad they closed the Shreveport and Janesville plants, because they would come in REAL Handy to keep up with Demand for the Colorado/Canyon.

[j-ten-ner]

its too bad they closed the Shreveport and Janesville plants, because they would come in REAL Handy to keep up with Demand for the Colorado/Canyon.

Sometimes you can increase the demand by cutting the supply...

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[cev103]

No mention of how the Sierra sales are compared to last year?

[rvsixer]

No mention of how the Sierra sales are compared to last year?

 

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/06/best-selling-pickup-trucks-may-2015.html#more

[cev103]

 

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/06/best-selling-pickup-trucks-may-2015.html#more

 

Thank you sir

[okfoz]

This is NOTHING, GM used to have 50% of the market for everything.

[rvsixer]

This is NOTHING, GM used to have 50% of the market for everything.

 

Respectful counterpoint:

Back in those days, GM had FAR less competition. IMO for them to have as much of the market share as they do in this day and age is EVERYTHING (especially after holding the door open for the competition to "come on in" from the late 70's through early 90's).

[mtbadbob]

 

Respectful counterpoint:

Back in those days, GM had FAR less competition. IMO for them to have as much of the market share as they do in this day and age is EVERYTHING (especially after holding the door open for the competition to "come on in" from the late 70's through early 90's).

AND the recall catastrophe!

[Doug_Scott]

Have to wonder why the price difference between full size and mid size pickup is not more than it is. Currently, with the posted rebates and credits, mid size truck costs more than the full size truck with similar options.

[okfoz]

Have to wonder why the price difference between full size and mid size pickup is not more than it is. Currently, with the posted rebates and credits, mid size truck costs more than the full size truck with similar options.

That ended up being the problem with the last Colorado & Canyon. My 2005 Buick Rainer cost $40,250 when new... I do not know how to check the list price of a 2005 Tahoe, but it probably was not a whole lot more in 2005...

[Doug_Scott]

That ended up being the problem with the last Colorado & Canyon. My 2005 Buick Rainer cost $40,250 when new... I do not know how to check the list price of a 2005 Tahoe, but it probably was not a whole lot more in 2005...

 

When I bought my 2010 Sierra, the Canyon was $2k more with the 5.3 engine. I looked at it, but found the interior to be too small width wise compared to the full size truck. Door opening was also smaller.

[okfoz]

 

When I bought my 2010 Sierra, the Canyon was $2k more with the 5.3 engine. I looked at it, but found the interior to be too small width wise compared to the full size truck. Door opening was also smaller.

I am not sure why this is, I remember the S-10 and it was a bargain compared to the Full size back in the day. It was an "economy" truck. When they moved away from the small to mid-sized truck the prices just jumped way way up. I do know that the IP, radio, heater controls in my Rainier are almost identical to the Full size from 2005...

 

I have the V8 in my Rainier and what a fun little ride that is to drive.

[Doug_Scott]

I am not sure why this is, I remember the S-10 and it was a bargain compared to the Full size back in the day. It was an "economy" truck. When they moved away from the small to mid-sized truck the prices just jumped way way up. I do know that the IP, radio, heater controls in my Rainier are almost identical to the Full size from 2005...

 

I have the V8 in my Rainier and what a fun little ride that is to drive.

 

To be fair, the Canyon was near top of the line, and the Sierra was not. Still had a V8, but is a Nevada Edition(W/T with chrome grille, 4.8 and power windows and locks). The ride was smoother in the full size. I have back issues, and am not a small person, so seat height and door opening are important to me. I cannot climb out of a vehicle very well, full size truck lets me slide in and out easily. Canyon did not.