4.8.2004
GM posts best sales month this year in the US

In July GM had its best sales month in the US so far this year, as dealers sold 459,263 new cars and trucks. The total was down 3 percent when compared to very strong year-ago sales. GM's overall truck sales (278,454) were down 3 percent from record year-ago levels, while car sales (180,809) declined 4.5 percent.

GM's industry-leading truck lineup had record July sales, led by record GMC sales (61,269) and the second-best month ever for sport utility deliveries (137,181), which were up 11 percent. This is the fourth month this year in which GM utility sales topped 100,000 units, a monthly sales benchmark no other manufacturer has achieved.

Sales of large utilities (49,891) increased 2 percent. Large luxury utilities (9,259) were up 23 percent, led by increases for the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. Small utilities (17,131) jumped 49 percent, paced by the Saturn Vue (8,846), which was up 15 percent.

Sales of GM full-size pickups (92,509) reached their highest level for the year and led the industry. GM car sales totaled 180,809 units.