TABJ - June 2 - General Motors dealers in the United States reported 221,192 total sales in May, including a nine per cent increase in retail sales compared to May 2010.

Retail sales for GM’s brands were again propelled by the company’s lineup of fuel-efficient passenger cars and crossovers. Total sales declined one per cent on lower fleet volume.

For the month, Chevrolet Cruze had its best retail sales since its launch as Chevrolet dealers reported 18,996 retail deliveries. The GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox, GM’s compact crossovers, saw a combined retail sales increase of 58 per cent during the month. Passenger car and crossover retail sales also rose substantially, up 32 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.

“Customers continue to demand better fuel economy and our commitment to produce high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles is paying off,” Don Johnson, Vice-President, U.S. Sales Operations, said in a statement. “We expect that fuel prices will continue to be volatile and we’re prepared to continue meeting the needs of an ever-changing market.”

Compared to last year, May fleet sales were 16 per cent lower as rental volumes declined 21 per cent. Deliveries to commercial accounts rose 19 per cent—the 14th consecutive month of commercial sales gains.

Combined retail sales for vehicles launched since June 2009—Chevrolet Equinox, Silverado HD, Cruze, Camaro Convertible and Volt; Buick LaCrosse and Regal; GMC Sierra HD and Terrain; and Cadillac SRX, CTS Wagon and CTS Coupe—jumped 65 per cent during May and are up 74 per cent for 2011.

During the month, total sales of GM passenger cars increased 13 per cent. Retail sales of passenger cars rose 32 per cent on the continuing strength of the Cruze, which was up 150 per cent compared to the Chevrolet Cobalt it replaced. Also contributing to the gain were solid retail sales for the Buick Regal and an increase of 28 per cent in retail sales for the Cadillac CTS.

“The Cruze, Regal and CTS Coupe are attracting new customers to GM,” Johnson said. “These vehicles are a strong reason why we’re gaining share in key states like California, New York, and Florida.”