GM sales down in April despite retail uptick
General Motors' U.S. sales fell 4% in April, compared to a year earlier, as the company continues cutting less-profitable fleet sales in favor of more lucrative retail sales.
The Detroit-based automaker sold 259,557 vehicles in April. Chevrolet was down 2%, Cadillac down 29%, Buick down 3% and GMC down 0.1%.
Retail sales -- the most profitable kind for the industry -- rose 3% for the month, according to GM.
Edmunds.com had projected an overall GM sales decline of 2%, while Kelley Blue Book had projected a decline of 3%.
GM discounts rose 14% to an average of $3,909 per vehicle, according to TrueCar. The increase nearly tracked the industry average of 13%, though the overall industry incentive average remains lower at $3,021 per vehicle.
“GM’s retail growth over the last 12 months has outpaced the industry by a wide margin because our redesigned large pickups and SUVs are hits, we made smart investments in new segments like small crossovers and mid-size pickups, and our momentum in the car business is accelerating with each new model introduction,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of sales operation, in a statement.
One bright spot was the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, which rose 9% to 49,990 units. The Silverado is GM's most popular and most important vehicle.
Follow Paste BN reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.