General Motors closed 2025 with a 6% increase in U.S. sales, leading the domestic industry for the year. The company sold nearly 700,000 Chevrolet and Buick models priced under $30,000, demonstrating the importance of entry-level affordability as new-vehicle transaction prices linger near record highs. All four GM brands posted year-over-year gains: GMC set a record for the second straight year, Cadillac posted its best results in a decade, Chevrolet maintained leadership in full-size SUVs for the 51st consecutive year, and GM secured the position of the second-best-selling EV brand after Tesla. Management emphasized that lower-than-average incentive spending helped preserve margins even as volume expanded.

GM retained the title of U.S. leader in full-size pickups for a sixth consecutive year, with Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra recording their strongest combined annual sales in two decades. Industry estimates show that full-size trucks carry gross margins two to three times higher than average passenger vehicles, a dynamic that underpins GM’s profitability. Truck sales accounted for more than 30% of the company’s total revenue in 2025 and remain the primary engine of free-cash-flow generation, supporting investments in EV platforms and next-generation battery technology without diluting returns.

GM faces renewed scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after reports that roughly 5% of L87 V8 engines continued to exhibit spark-plug ejection and misfire issues even after an initial recall remedy. The original recall covered approximately 450,000 vehicles, with GM estimating direct remediation costs of $150 million. The fresh NHTSA investigation could expose GM to additional penalties and require a secondary repair campaign, potentially adding $200 million to warranty and repair expenses. Investors are monitoring the outcome closely, as rising regulatory costs and reputational risks may pressure near-term earnings.