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GM Concludes Banner Year with Market Share Growth
OSHAWA, Ontario (Friday, January 3, 2003) - General Motors of Canada dealers and retailers delivered a record 52,579 vehicles in December, an increase of 24.0 per cent over the same period last year. Compared to December 2001, passenger car sales for the month were 25,971 units, up 24.8 per cent, and truck sales were 26,608 units, up 23.2 per cent.
Marc Comeau, GM of Canada's vice president of sales, service and marketing, said, "December 2002 will certainly go into the GM record books as the highest December ever and one of our strongest months in over 10 years. With strong sales in virtually every segment, we increased market share by outpacing what appears to be record sales for the industry. "
For the 2002 calendar year, GM Canada delivered 520,748 units, an increase of 10.8 per cent over 470,081 delivered in the previous year. Calendar year passenger car sales were 268,653 units, an increase of 9.3 per cent over the previous period and truck sales were a record 252,095 units, an increase of 12.4 per cent over the previous year.
"2002 was an incredible year for GM. We sold almost 100,000 Cavaliers and Sunfires, a record number of Saturns, and more Cadillacs than we have since 1989. With record breaking sales, world-class quality and one of the lowest cost structures in the industry, we have clearly broken away from our traditional competitors and are focused on continued share growth", said Comeau.
Comeau added, "2002 was a great year but wait till you see what we do next. We have more new cars and trucks coming than any other manufacturer in the world. From the all-new Chevrolet Malibu and SSR roadster to the Cadillac SRX luxury sport-utility they are all 'must have' products that will drive traffic to GM showrooms across the country."
GM Canada highlights for the 2002 calendar year include: the launch of the Hummer H2, Saturn VUE, Pontiac Vibe, Saturn ION, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Kodiak, GMC TopKick and the Saab 9-3; the Oshawa Car Assembly Plant winning the J.D. Power award for the highest quality plant in North and South America; Saturn retailers winning the J.D. Power award for highest quality service in Canada; and record sales of 99,650 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire vehicles in Canada alone.
SALES HIGHLIGHTS FOR DECEMBER 2002 (Percentages reflect comparison to DECEMBER 2001)
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| SAAB 9-5 | +306.8% | 82 | 21 |
| GMC SAVANA | +65.8% | 549 | 345 |
| CHEVROLET AVALANCHE | +58.6% | 778 | 511 |
| SATURN SL/SW | +54.9% | 898 | 604 |
| CHEVROLET TRACKER | +50.1% | 735 | 510 |
| PONTIAC SUNFIRE | +40.9% | 4639 | 3249 |
| CHEVROLET IMPALA | +39.4% | 2506 | 1872 |
| CHEVROLET CAVALIER | +38.8% | 5106 | 3833 |
| BUICK RENDEZVOUS | +36.5% | 1166 | 890 |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE | +31.3% | 150 | 119 |
GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA SALES
MONTH OF DECEMBER 2002
| 2002 | 2001 | % CHG |
| TOTAL CARS | 25,971 | 20,818 | +24.8 |
| TOTAL TRUCKS | 26,608 | 21,597 | +23.2 |
| COMBINED VEHICLES | 52,579 | 42,415 | +24.0 |
CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE: January 1 - December 31, 2002
| 2002 | 2001 | % CHG |
| TOTAL CARS | 268,653 | 245,718 | +9.3 |
| TOTAL TRUCKS | 252,095 | 224,363 | +12.4 |
| COMBINED VEHICLES | 520,748 | 470,081 | +10.8 |
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