GMC cranked out its best sales month of the year in October, ratcheting up a 16 percent increase in retail sales and 30 percent in total sales compared to the same month last year. The brand’s year-to-date retail sales climbed 29 percent and total sales rose 28 percent.
October was the 13th straight month of sales increases for GMC, driven by customer demand for its Sierra pickup truck, Terrain crossover and Yukon XL sport utility vehicle, all of which had their best month of the year. The Acadia crossover also contributed to GMC’s October sales success.
“Terrain and Acadia continue to attract new customers to GMC, with more than half of their buyers coming from non-General Motors brands,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president for Buick GMC Sales and Service. “With more than a year of steady sales increases, we’re confident that GMC is on the right track for long-haul growth.”
With its bold design and segment-leading fuel economy bringing new customers into GMC showrooms, Terrain had its best retail month ever, racking up a 75 percent retail sales increase compared to the same month last year. Its total sales were up 82 percent for the month. Small SUV and crossover buyers are taking to the Terrain quicker than competitive models, with the model averaging just 16 days on dealer lots compared with a 32-day average among competitors.
Acadia – which motorists recently named the Best Cargo Hauler from a Popular Brand (2010 Motorist Choice Awards) – delivered a retail sales increase of 65 percent in October compared to the same month last year and 25 percent for the calendar year to date. Total sales increases followed suit. Acadia also is hitting the streets quicker than other midsize crossovers, moving off dealers’ lots in only 26 days, compared to the segment average of 38 days.
Consumer interest in Acadia is fueled in part by the new 2011 GMC Acadia Denali, which began arriving at dealerships in October. The Acadia Denali distinguishes itself from other crossovers with its unique Denali cues, including a chrome honeycomb grille, monochromatic exterior and 20-inch two-tone chrome-clad wheels.
Beginning in early November, owners of the new Acadia Denali and other 2011 GMC models can access their vehicle information and OnStar services from their smart phones. The myGMC and OnStar MyLink applications, available as free downloads, provide drivers with unprecedented connectivity to their vehicles from their Android or Apple iPhone device.
Sierra retail sales were up 7 percent during October Truck Month compared to the same period last year and 14 percent year to date. Total Sierra sales were up 9 percent year over year and 13 percent year to date. Sales were spurred by the recent arrival of the new 2011 Sierra Denali HD, the first offering of the exclusive Denali line on a heavy-duty GMC pickup. The Sierra Denali HD leads a comprehensively redesigned lineup of 2011 Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks that went on sale in early summer – including the most powerful diesel engine in the segment.
Both Sierra and Yukon XL – the latter of which delivered a 62 percent increase in year-over-year total sales in October – recently ranked within the top three in their respective market segments in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).
