Chevrolet chases elusive sales goal: 3 million

[Northstar]

By John K. Teahen Jr.
Automotive News / September 12, 2005

Chevrolet executives aren't talking much about it these days, but they nervously await each month's sales figures, hoping against hope that it still can be done.

The "it" is 3 million new-car and light-truck sales in 2005.

It's possible, but it will be a far reach for General Motors' top-volume division.

GM is eager for Chevy to return to 3 million. So what else is new? GM is eager for every brand to sell every car and truck possible.

Chevy hasn't sold 3 million cars and trucks in a year in more than a quarter of a century. The division first made it in 1972 and 1973 under General Manager Jim McDonald, later GM's president.

The goal was reached again in 1976-79 under Bob Lund, who ranks right up there with Dick Grant, the wizard of the 1920s, as GM's greatest salesman ever.

To attain 3 million sales, a brand must average 250,000 a month. Chevy has done that in only three of the eight months this year, including an astounding 325,021 in June, the first month of employee pricing for all.

Putting it another way, after eight months, Chevy should have 2 million sales to be on target. It had 1,902,898, an average of 237,862 per month.

To total 3 million, Chevrolet would have to average 274,276 sales in the remaining four months of 2005. It's possible, but it sure isn't likely.

More: http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=54424

[99camaroSS]

theres no way in hell! with employe pricing ending there just no freaking way they can pull that off

[Northstar]

It's very unlikely, but Dec. is usually a big month, and there should be HUGE discounts on the GMT800 Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban since the GMT900s will be just around the corner. Also keep in mind quite a few Impala sales were lost with the switchover, and the new one is selling briskly along with the HHR. Those two could make up some sales, plus the Cobalt wasn't selling as well in the Jan-March timeframe.

[Cory Wolfe]

I don't see it happening.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Not gonna happen.

[Cremazie]

It's very unlikely, but Dec. is usually a big month, and there should be HUGE discounts on the GMT800 Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban since the GMT900s will be just around the corner.

Also keep in mind quite a few Impala sales were lost with the switchover, and the new one is selling briskly along with the HHR. Those two could make up some sales, plus the Cobalt wasn't selling as well in the Jan-March timeframe.

[post="13227"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

They can give away all their 2005 GMT 800s and still not attain the goal. The main reason it won't happen because . With Employee pricing they cleaned out their inventory, which will leave this fall with lower sales figures than last year! Edited September 13, 2005 by Cremazie