General Motors Sales Rise 25 percent in July

General Motors posted its 10th-consecutive month of year-to-year sales increases in July, with existing vehicle sales jumping 24.6 percent.

The Detroit-based automaker made particular gains with sales of its Buick and Cadillac brands, which both doubled. Buick sold 16,799 vehicles in July, a 137 percent increase from last year. Cadillac delivered 14,919 units, up 142 percent. Sales of Chevrolet vehicles were up 12 percent, and sales of GMC vehicles rose 27 percent.

General Motors has about two dozen dealerships in the Sacramento region, and the automaker has about 12 percent market share statewide, combining all of its brands. Front-runner Toyota commands about 22.5 percent of the market.

“Our July results again reflect that each of our brands has contributed significantly to our gains,” Don Johnson, vice president of U.S. sales operations, said in a release. “The size and scope of the U.S. market demands a strong portfolio of well-targeted brands. The success of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac month in and month out indicates that the new GM’s brand strategy is sound.”

General Motors has discontinued several brands since last year, phasing out Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn production. Overall sales at GM, including the discontinued brands, still rose 5.4 percent in July.