General Motors has officially clinched the 2025 U.S. auto sales crown, selling an estimated 2.83 million vehicles and capturing a 17.3% market share—its most substantial presence in the American market since 2017.

The Detroit automaker's victory caps a remarkable turnaround year that has seen its stock price surge more than 55% to record highs, making GM the top-performing U.S.-traded automaker of 2025 and leaving rivals Tesla, Ford, and Stellantis in its wake.

The Final Standings

According to Cox Automotive's year-end forecast, the 2025 U.S. auto sales rankings finished as follows:

  • General Motors: 2.83 million vehicles (+5.1% YoY), 17.3% market share
  • Toyota: 2.52 million vehicles (+8.4% YoY), 15.5% market share
  • Ford: 2.18 million vehicles (+5.6% YoY), 13.4% market share
  • Hyundai-Kia: 1.84 million vehicles (+7.9% YoY), 11.3% market share
  • Honda: 1.42 million vehicles (+0.6% YoY), 8.8% market share

The total U.S. new-vehicle market is expected to reach 16.3 million units for 2025—up 1.8% from 2024 and the best sales year since 2019.

What Drove GM's Victory

GM's success in 2025 stemmed from several factors that aligned favorably with consumer preferences and market conditions:

SUV and Truck Dominance

GM's strength in full-size trucks and SUVs—categories that command premium prices and healthy profit margins—proved decisive. The redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra continued to battle Ford's F-150 for segment leadership, while the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon family maintained their dominance in the full-size SUV category.

"General Motors executed exceptionally well in the segments that matter most for profitability. Their truck and SUV lineup is simply unmatched in breadth and quality."

— Charlie Chesbrough, Cox Automotive Senior Economist

EV Momentum Building

While electric vehicle sales faced headwinds industry-wide following the expiration of federal tax credits, GM made significant strides in building its EV portfolio. The company's Ultium platform now underpins multiple models across price points, positioning GM for the eventual mass-market EV transition.

Tariff Navigation

GM's heavily domestic manufacturing footprint proved advantageous as tariffs roiled the industry. With the majority of its U.S. sales produced in North America, GM faced less exposure to import duties that squeezed competitors reliant on overseas production.

CEO Mary Barra addressed this advantage directly: "I think there has been a lot done with tariffs to have a more level playing field. For years we faced either tariffs, or non-tariff trade barriers."

Stock Performance Validates Strategy

Investors have rewarded GM's execution with enthusiasm. The stock closed above $80 per share on Friday, marking an all-time high and a gain of more than 55% for the year—its strongest annual performance since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009.

The surge has made GM the standout performer among automakers:

  • GM: +55% YTD
  • Toyota: +12% YTD
  • Ford: -8% YTD
  • Stellantis: -45% YTD
  • Tesla: -2% YTD (despite earlier gains)

Fourth Quarter Challenges

Despite the full-year victory, GM's fourth quarter showed signs of strain. The company is forecast to end Q4 with over 685,000 vehicles sold, representing an 8.7% year-over-year decline as the broader market cooled.

Industry-wide headwinds affected all manufacturers in the final months:

  • Tariff uncertainty causing consumer hesitation
  • Higher interest rates keeping monthly payments elevated
  • Expiration of EV tax credits dampening electric vehicle demand
  • Inventory levels rising as demand softened

The December seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) is expected to finish near 15.9 million, down from last year's 16.8 million pace but up from November's 15.6 million level.

Year-End Deals Attract Buyers

December remains the top month for new car bargains, and 2025 was no exception. With inventory levels running higher than expected and 2026 models arriving on lots, manufacturers rolled out their most aggressive incentives of the year.

GM capitalized on year-end sales momentum with compelling offers across its lineup, particularly on 2025 model-year vehicles facing replacement. The combination of manufacturer incentives and dealer discounts created opportunities for value-conscious buyers.

What 2026 Holds

Looking ahead, analysts expect the new-vehicle sales pace to decline modestly to approximately 15.8 million units in 2026—a 2.4% decrease from 2025 levels. Several factors are expected to weigh on demand:

  • Slower economic growth as Fed rate cuts take time to stimulate activity
  • Reduced job creation limiting household income growth
  • Continued absence of federal EV tax incentives
  • Potential for additional tariff disruptions

For GM specifically, maintaining sales leadership will require continued execution on new product launches, successful expansion of its EV portfolio, and navigation of an increasingly competitive truck market where Ford and Ram are bringing refreshed offerings.

The Bigger Picture

GM's 2025 sales victory represents more than just a one-year achievement. It signals the company's successful navigation of multiple industry transitions—from internal combustion to electric, from cars to trucks, from crisis to stability.

Just over a decade removed from government bailout and bankruptcy, General Motors enters 2026 as the undisputed leader of the American auto market, with its stock at all-time highs and its product portfolio the strongest in years. For investors and employees who stayed the course through darker times, 2025 has delivered validation that the turnaround is real.