The economy may be less robust than most Americans would like, but that didn't stop many of them from hitting the showrooms in December. That likely propelled auto sales in the final month of 2010 to 1.13 million units, the year's highest levels.
Topping off a week in which Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, VW, Chrysler and Ford between them recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles, General Motors today announced it is recalling 100,000 SUVs to repair front row seat belts that may come loose in a crash.
It's traditionally one of the slowest months of the year for vehicle sales, but most automakers reported higher U.S. sales in November compared to a year ago, despite continued consumer caution about the slow economic recovery.
General Motors, fresh off its initial public offering, reported today that November sales rose 11.4% compared to the same month a year ago. Among its four core brands, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet, GM said sales rose nearly 21%.
Year-over-year gains are again likely when automakers report November U.S. sales figures Wednesday. But a drop from this October's level is on tap. Detroit probably fared better than its foreign counterparts as sales rebounded further from last year's anemic levels.
After months of anticipation General Motors has priced its stock at $33 a share in its initial public offering slated to begin official trading Thursday in New York. The figure is at the high end of the offer, which in recent days saw its range rise from the initial range of $26 to $29 a share. The Detroit automaker is looking to raise nearly $23 billion through the sale of a combination of both common and preferred shares.
Considering where the iconic carmaker has been in recent years, the pending IPO -- and robust investor demand for shares -- is a remarkably positive step. But GM still has plenty of problem spots that will need fixing if this historic event is to have lasting meaning.
After reporting a $4.3 billion loss during the last half of 2009, General Motors saw two positive quarters during the first half of the the year and is expected to stay on course when it reports its latest earnings Wednesday.
Buoyed by consumers' increased confidence in the U.S. economy, most automakers reported higher sales of cars and trucks in the U.S. during October compared to a year ago -- making it the best October in three years for the auto industry.
Buoyed by stronger demand for pickups and crossover, GM said today that October sales increased 3.5% compared to a year ago. Excluding its discontinued brands, sales of Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet models rose 13% for the month.
Carmakers are expected to report a mixed picture for October sales: mostly better than a year ago, but down slightly from September. Still, the pace appears strong enough that the upper end of full-year forecasts is reachable.
General Motors plans to invest $190 million in its Lansing Grand River assembly plant where it will build a new Cadillac model, resulting in 600 new jobs and the addition of a second shift.
Vehicle sales have been less than stellar in recent months, disappointing some analysts. But the industry is gradually improving in a broad trend that is benefiting nearly all automakers -- including the Big Three, which have returned from the brink.