GM's Q3 US Sales Fall 5.5% to 670,974 as EV Volumes Plunge

General Motors reported Thursday that its third-quarter U.S. sales fell 5.5% year over year to 670,974 vehicles, according to CNBC. CNBC reported that GM's all-electric models posted dramatic declines against year-earlier comparisons, while lower-cost small crossovers and relatively flat full-size pickup volumes cushioned part of the drop. The quarter landed close to Cox Automotive's pre-release projection of 671,706 vehicles — a forecast decline of 5.2% year over year and 5.5% from the second quarter, as reported by GM Authority.

EV Sales Collapse Across GM's Lineup

The steepest declines came from GM's battery-electric models. The Chevrolet Equinox EV fell 92.4% to 1,905 vehicles sold, while the Blazer EV dropped 84.4% and the Hummer EV declined 72.9%, per CNBC's reporting on GM's release. CNBC framed those declines as measured against year-earlier comparisons; GM's own release a year earlier reported that third-quarter 2025 sales rose 8% on growth in both gas and electric vehicles, a higher base against which this year's EV volumes are being compared.

CNBC also noted that GM offers a broad EV lineup but only a single hybrid model, a version of the Corvette. The outlet reported that experts expect this gap to weigh on GM's overall sales as hybrid demand grows, particularly with gasoline prices elevated; AAA's national average stood at $4.41 at the time of the report, a level CNBC said was also expected to pressure sales of the large trucks and SUVs that GM depends on.

Smaller SUVs and Trucks Cushion the Blow

Not every part of GM's lineup contracted. According to CNBC, the Chevrolet Trailblazer rose 51% for the quarter, the Buick Envista climbed 18.4%, and the Chevrolet Trax gained 16.3%, as lower-cost vehicles found demand among consumers contending with inflation. GM's full-size pickups were described as relatively flat rather than down, providing some stability in the automaker's highest-volume segment.

Even so, CNBC reported that each of GM's brands is down on a year-to-date basis, led by a 25% decline at Cadillac. GM North America president Duncan Aldred said in a statement cited by CNBC: "Our business is performing very well, the launch of our next-generation full-size pickup trucks is on track, and we are making investments in new vehicles, innovative technologies, and our U.S. manufacturing footprint to drive our next phase of growth." CNBC also noted that GM detailed new V-8 engines for its pickup trucks last month as it works to hold its lead in truck sales.

Bottom line: GM's decline came against a market CNBC described as stronger than expected, with Cox Automotive raising its 2026 U.S. new-vehicle forecast last week by roughly 2%, to 16.1 million units. Cox Automotive separately forecast that GM will remain the top-selling U.S. automaker for calendar 2026 even with an estimated 6.2% sales decline that would cut its year-to-date share to 16.7% from 17.4%, according to GM Authority, and projected before the release that the Detroit Three would account for just over 36% of third-quarter U.S. new-vehicle sales — the lowest share on record — with Asian automakers taking more than half the market for a second straight quarter. Interpreting those attributed figures together, GM's share pressure appears concentrated in the hybrid and passenger-car segments that Cox senior economist Charlie Chesbrough said consumers are shifting toward, rather than in its truck business.