General Motors saw a strong start to 2025, reporting a 17% jump in U.S. vehicle sales for the first quarter, with a total of 693,363 units sold. A major contributor to this growth was a 94% increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales, which totaled nearly 32,000 units. The Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV were standout performers, helping GM strengthen its position as the second-largest EV seller in the country.
Brand-by-Brand Breakdown
Every GM brand posted double-digit gains in Q1:
- Buick surged 39% with 61,822 vehicles sold.
- Chevrolet climbed nearly 14% to 443,564 units.
- GMC was up about 18%, reaching 146,220 vehicles.
- Cadillac rose approximately 18%, totaling 41,757 vehicles, thanks in part to early deliveries of the new all-electric Optiq and Escalade IQ.
Electric vans under the BrightDrop brand saw only a modest 7% uptick in sales, with just 274 units moved. Despite the buzz around the product, many remain in storage, highlighting a slower ramp-up in that segment.
Other Key Highlights
- Inventory dropped by 8% to around 549,000 vehicles—within GM’s target range.
- The Chevrolet Trax SUV, built in South Korea, posted an impressive 57% increase in sales.
- The average price for a GM vehicle rose slightly to just under $51,000.
- Incentive spending stayed below 4%, outperforming the industry average of 7%.
Impact of Tariff Concerns
Part of the sales momentum may have been driven by consumer urgency ahead of incoming auto tariffs, which took effect in early April. Buyers looking to avoid potential price hikes appeared to pull some purchases forward. While this gave a boost to Q1 results, there’s concern that these tariffs could create turbulence for the rest of the year.
GM’s strong Q1 performance reflects both a growing appetite for electric vehicles and a healthy lineup across all brands—but the company will need to navigate changing market dynamics and global trade pressures in the quarters ahead.
