GM regains sales crown in U.S.; Canadian and Oshawa Q2 numbers not yet released

General Motors has regained its sales crown in the Unites States after second quarter numbers were released, taking the title back from Japanese rival Toyota.

Canadian second quarter totals have not yet been released but GM is still the king based on first quarter sales, though Ford took a bite out of GM’s market share to narrow the gap.

GM sold 47,699 vehicles in the first three months versus 43,061 for Ford. Fiat-Chrysler, Toyota and Hyundai (leapfrogging over Honda) round out the top five. Canadian sales for the first quarter were 330,593 (down 12.7 per cent), with the vast majority (278,871) trucks and SUVs.

Despite regaining number one status in the U.S., GM’s second-quarter U.S. sales were down 15.4 per cent as the auto industry continues to struggle with production disruptions (including a global shortage of semi-conductor chips), which analysts predict will continue this year.

For the quarter, GM sold 582,401 vehicles compared with the 688,236 vehicles it sold in 2021 Q1. The company’s market share rose one point to about 16.3 per cent. Toyota was in second spot with 531,105 vehicles.

GM sold just over a million vehicles – 1,095,247 – in the first half of this year.

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“GM’s sales and market share have grown each of the last three quarters, even with lingering supply chain disruptions,” said Steve Carlisle, GM executive vice president and president, North America. “Our long-term momentum will continue to build thanks to the launches of ground-breaking new EVs like the GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ, and the tremendous customer response to the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.”

Carlisle served as President of GM Canada for a short spell in 2018.

In the all-important full-size pick-up truck segment, GM extended its leadership in retail market share for the 13th consecutive quarter, despite very low inventory, with 203,041 combined total sales of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, both of which are produced in Oshawa, for a 44 per cent share.

The Silverado remains the fastest growing full-size pickup truck in the industry (J.D. Power), with Silverado HD recording its best first half in retail sales since 2007.

Commercial demand was especially strong for full-size vans, up 12 per cent; full-size pickups, up 14 per cent; medium-duty trucks, up 13 per cent; and midsize pickups, up 65 per cent.

GM vehicle production was strong south of the border during the second quarter and the company finished the month with 247,839 vehicles in dealer inventory, including units in-transit to dealers. However, GM’s second quarter vehicle wholesale volumes were impacted by the ongoing semiconductor supply shortage and other supply chain disruptions mostly in June.

“We appreciate the patience and loyalty of our dealers and customers as we strive to meet significant pent-up demand for our products, and we will work with our suppliers and manufacturing and logistics teams to deliver all the units held at our plants as quickly as possible,” said Carlisle.