GM, Toyota Big Winners in Q2 Sales Race

General Motors' U.S. sales increased for a fourth consecutive quarter, and Toyota's sales increased for a third consecutive month in June, a feat attributed to recovering auto inventories, reported Automotive News Research & Data Center.

GM

For the second quarter, the Detroit-based brand reported:

• A 17% rise in Chevrolet sales
• An 18% increase in sales at GMC
• A 48% spike in sales for Buick
• A 15% rise in Cadillac sales

Overall, GM reported retail sales advanced 15% and fleet shipments rose 34% during the second quarter.

It ended June with 427,000 vehicles in U.S. dealer stock or in transit, up slightly from 412,000 at the end of the first quarter.

Toyota

Toyota volume rose 15% to 195,448 last month, the Toyota division up 14% and Lexus advancing 18%. All but one of the Toyota brand's top sellers posted solid gains:

• Camry, up 24%
• Corolla sales up 4%
• RAV4 sales rising 14%
• Highlander sales growing 17%
• Tundra spiking 38%
• Tacoma sales flat.

The Japanese automaker ended June with 167,666 cars and light trucks in stock — 39,901 at dealers and 127,765 at ports or in transit, enough for a 22-day supply. Toyota had a 21-day supply of vehicles on July 1, while Lexus had a 30-day supply.

Stellantis

Stellantis sales rose 3% overall, aided by the Ram, Dodge and Chrysler brands, despite flat Ram pickup sales. The automaker’s biggest brand, Jeep, continued to struggle, slipping another 3%, while Wrangler, the brand’s second-biggest seller, fell 13%.

Second-quarter volume rose 33% at Chrysler and 37% at Dodge and dropped 42% at Fiat and 25% at Alfa Romeo.

Honda

Honda reported June deliveries rose 57% to 111,498, the Honda brand up 54% and Acura up 83%. Helped by inventory turn rates of over 70%, Honda's five core models posted double-digit gains in June:

• Accord, up 68%
• CR-V, up 38%
• Civic, up 66%
• Pilot, up 86%
• HR-V, up 57%

Volkswagen said second-quarter sales slipped 1.7% to 76,934. Ford will post its second-quarter results later this week.