Despite an expected decline in U.S. industry sales, GM reported a 3.4% total sales increase, compared with February 2006. The sales gain was due to an 11% retail sales increase. Retail and fleet sales by GM dealers in the United States totaled 311,763 vehicles, compared with sales of 301,545 in February 2006. Fleet sales were down 18% due to a planned 25% reduction in daily rental sales. Helping to drive GM's overall numbers up was Saturn. GM's import-fighting brand saw its sales skyrocket nearly 60% last month over year-ago levels. The Saturn, Chevrolet, GMC, and Pontiac divisions all saw retail increases in February.

Vue sales were up 41.7% to 10,740 units. Significantly, year-to-date the Vue is outselling its corporate cousin - the Chevrolet Equinox - 15,412 to 12,899. Sales of Saturn's new large Outlook crossover totaled 1,900 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,844. Combined with the new GMC Acadia, the critically-acclaimed Saturn Outlook drove a 97% retail increase for GM in the mid-crossover segment. The discontinued Relay minivan brought in 194 buyers, down 61.2% from last year. Ion sales were down 18.6% to 4,766 units. Sales of Saturn's new midsize Aura totaled 3,796. Retailers sold 829 Skys.

"With GM offering the best coverage in our 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, we believe customers see our vehicles as having outstanding value and quality that is better than the competition. With a less than stellar industry performance, our February sales results stand out," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North American Sales, Service and Marketing.

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Source: General Motors