GM dealers delivered 30,208 units in March. Car sales were down 8.9% while truck were down a considerable 21.9% or more than 4,500 units. Year-to-date, GM Canada sales are up marginally at 1.5%.
"Despite a softer March than we would have liked, GM is holding it's own in Canada, up 1.5% for the first quarter, driven by a strong 17.2% quarterly increase in car sales," says Marc Comeau, GM of Canada's vice-president of sales, service, and marketing.
"What is particularly significant for us is that we are seeing quarterly gains across our broad portfolio of cars, with the fuel efficient Pontiac Wave and Chevrolet Aveo up a combined 77.6%, compact cars posted a 9.5% increase driven by the double digit gains for the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 and mid size cars were up a full 79.6% on the strength of a 125% increase for the all-new Chevrolet Malibu.
Easter weekend fell in March this year which contributed to three fewer selling days, 25 vs. 28 in March 2007.
GM is counting on the new Pontiac Vibe to get consumers talking.
"Our Catch the Vibe launch program is creating positive buzz around the recently launched all new 2009 Pontiac Vibe," says Mr. Comeau.
| GM Canada sales | |||
| March | 2008 | 2007 | %CHG |
| Cars | 13,939 | 15,305 | -8.9% |
| Trucks | 16,269 | 20,821 | 21.9% |
| Combined | 30,208 | 36,126 | -16.4% |
| Calendar Year-to-date (March 31 2008) | |||
| 2008 | 2007 | %CHG | |
| Cars | 39,520 | 33,713 | +17.2% |
| Trucks | 43,743 | 48,306 | -9.4% |
| Combined | 83,263 | 82,019 | +1.5% |
