Saturn's August sales rose 21.9% to 21,619 units, up from 17,099 last year. Year-to-date sales for Saturn totalled 193,161, up 5.3% from this time last year when retailers sold 183,433 cars.

Saturn was lifted by sales of the L-Series an Vue. The company sold 6,446 L-Series cars last month, up 16.2% from August 2001 when 5,348 L cars were sold. 4,818 Vues were delivered to customers in August; a total of 37,102 Vues have been delivered since the beginning of this year. Sales for Saturn's S-Series didn't do as well; they were down 15.0%. Saturn sold 10,355 S cars in August 2002 versus 11,751 last year.

General Motors dealers sold 492,434 new cars and trucks in April in the United States, up 18 percent over last year. GM reported an increase in truck sales of 27 percent, and August retail truck deliveries were up 28 percent. GM remains on track to shatter the calendar year industry truck sales record. GM's car sales were up 8 percent overall and increased 3 percent retail. For the year, GM's overall retail sales are up 8 percent and retail truck deliveries are up 18 percent.

"We experienced an overwhelming response from dealers and customers to our 'Summerdrive' program. Given our constrained inventory, our sales clearly exceeded our expectations," said Bill Lovejoy, group vice president of North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our truck lineup continues on pace to set the all-time industry record, driven by incredible sales of our sport utility vehicle lineup. Cadillac continues to strengthen its position in the luxury market and new entries like the Cadillac CTS and Pontiac Vibe are improving our competitive position in the passenger car market.

"Quite simply, GM and its dealers are clearly demonstrating leadership in the marketplace with our simple, compelling marketing programs," said Lovejoy.

Want more information?

Source: General Motors