GMC’s Comfortable Ride

GM’s truck division, GMC, has been putting dependable trucks on the road since 1902. Today, they are one of the nation’s strongest brands and they’re taking steps to ensure that there is a place in the American automotive market for them for years to come. There has been a strengthening of the full size truck and SUV markets. Additionally, GMC has a strong presence in the ever-growing crossover and light duty truck categories. They have shown year over year sales growth for the last 15 months. In fact, January through December of 2010 showed a total sales increase of 29 percent. This was spurred, in part, by 40, 46, and 73 percent sales growth of the Sierra, Acadia and Terrain, respectively.

The Terrain, a compact SUV that has class leading 32 mpg, led sales growth among GMC’s lineup. An America more conscious of its wallet and the environment was snatching up Terrains in 2010 within an average of 19 days on the lot. Competitors’ vehicles spent an average of 32 days on dealer lots before being purchased.

Other things prodding the Terrain’s sales are the fact that it is attracting both male and female buyers. Better than 20 percent more females, 46 percent, are buying the Terrain over other GMC models. It’s also important to note that half of all Terrain buyers trade in a non-GM vehicle.

The Acadia’s sales were their best in December of 2010 too, delivering an increase of 46 percent over December of 2009 and 30 percent for the year overall. Like the Terrain, many sales are coming from non-GM trade-ins. In fact, over half of all Acadias sold in 2010 were sold to people who traded in non-GM vehicles.

The good news keeps rolling in for GMC. Yukon and Yukon XL ended 2010 on a positive with the line up 26 percent. The standard Yukon was up 17 percent and the XL was up 31 percent over 2009. 

In spite of a reduction in fleet sales of 17 percent for GM overall 2010 was a great year for the automaker. Don Johnson, vice president of U.S. sales operations for GM credits the company’s sales performance to GM’s new company focus.

What do you think? Should there be a Terrain or an Acadia in your garage?