7.1.2004
GM reports December sales

GM announced December 2003 sales and production estimates for 2004.

GM dealers sold 447,900 new cars and trucks in December, down 9 percent compared to record sales levels in December 2002. GM's overall truck sales (278,406) were down 11 percent. Car sales (169,494) were down 5 percent. In December 2002, GM had exceptional sales results (473,663) and more than a 32-percent market share.

GM calendar-year sales were down a modest 2 percent in 2003. For the third consecutive year, GM set an industry sales record for trucks. It also established a new industry benchmark for sales of sport utility vehicles. Five of GM's 9 brands had sales gains for the calendar year, led by an 8 percent sales increase at Cadillac, which had its best sales year since 1990, and GMC's tenth calendar-year sales record in 11 years.

GM's industry-leading truck lineup posted solid sales in December. While sales for the month were down 11 percent, last December's truck sales set an all-time industry record, creating an extraordinarily difficult comparison. Calendar-year truck sales (2,795,721) were up slightly from record year-ago levels (0.2 percent) and once again established a new industry record.

GM car sales declined 5 percent from strong year-ago levels. Calendar-year car sales (1,960,682) also were down 5 percent.

GM Certified Used Vehicles had strong December sales of 34,593 units, up 41 percent from December 2002. GM Certified Used Vehicles had total 2003 sales of 397,638 units, an increase of 22 percent from 2002.

GM Announces December Production Results and 2003 Fourth-Quarter Production Results; 2004 First-Quarter Production Forecast Remains Unchanged

In December, GMNA produced 419,000 vehicles (170,000 cars and 249,000 trucks), compared to 382,000 vehicles (159,000 cars and 223,000 trucks) produced in December 2002.

GM's current 2004 first-quarter production forecast for North America remains unchanged at 1.35 million vehicles (533,000 cars and 817,000 trucks).

GM also announced 2003 fourth-quarter and 2004 first-quarter production estimates for its international regions:

The GM Europe region's 2003 fourth-quarter production estimate is 446,000 vehicles, unchanged from last month's guidance. The region's 2004 first-quarter production estimate is 470,000 vehicles, down 10,000 vehicles from last month's initial forecast.

The GM Asia Pacific region's 2003 fourth-quarter production estimate is 134,000 vehicles, up 11,000 vehicles from last month's estimate. The region's current 2004 first-quarter forecast remains unchanged at 122,000 vehicles.

The GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East region's current 2003 fourth-quarter estimate is 157,000 vehicles, up 2,000 vehicles from last month's guidance. The region's revised 2004 first-quarter production forecast is 169,000 vehicles, up 18,000 vehicles from last month's initial guidance of 151,000 vehicles.