General Motors announced April 1 it sold 642,250 vehicles in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2021, with retail deliveries up 19% and fleet sales down 35% year over year. Total sales were up 4% compared to a year ago. All four GM U.S. brands had double-digit year-over-year increases in retail sales.

GM estimates the U.S. retail SAAR in the first quarter of 2021 was 14.6 million units and the total U.S. light vehicle SAAR was 16.7 million units.

In another sign of strong U.S. economic activity, sales to small businesses, which are included in retail sales, increased 27% in the first quarter. Gains were driven by full-size SUV sales (up 132%), Silverado medium-duty pickup sales (up 155%) and large vans (up 45%). The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon also increased sales by a combined 58%.