GM's U.S. Sales Fall 8.7 % in April 2003

DETROIT May 1, 2003; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. said Thursday that its April U.S. sales fell 8.7 percent to 400,687 vehicles, as the weak economy offset what the automaker described as its most aggressive incentive program ever.

GM said its U.S. vehicle sales, including its Saab brand and some heavy trucks, fell from 422,089 vehicles in April last year.

Car sales dropped 21.7 percent to 155,722 units while truck sales rose 2 percent to 244,965. Earlier, GM's Saab division reported its strongest month ever, as sales jumped 45 percent to 4,957 cars, beating its previous best in 1986.

GM said it left unchanged its North American vehicle production estimate for the second quarter, at 1.39 million vehicles.

Earlier on Thursday, GM said it extended its incentive offer of zero percent interest financing for up to five years across most of its lineup through June 2.

The sales results were adjusted due to an extra selling day in April compared with last year.