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GM's May sales down 30% but improving

By AP

Detroit – Detroit (AP) - A day after filing for bankruptcy protection, automaker General Motors Corp. says its U.S. sales in May fell 30% from a year ago but were 11% better than in April.

GM said Tuesday that improved consumer confidence levels last month helped buyers shrug off concerns about the automaker's impending Chapter 11 filing.

GM says it sold 191,875 cars and light trucks in May.

According to one report, sales of the Lansing-made Buick Enclave were up 39% in May compared to year-ago figures. The Lansing State Journal says on its website that it's the first time in 10 months that a Lansing-made GM car sold more than the previous year.

GM's Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn and Saab brands were the company's worst performers. GM has said it plans to get rid of those brands as part of its restructuring.

Saturn sales fell 56%, and Pontiac sales were down 52%.

GM is counting on a quick trip through bankruptcy court to reduce its debt load and help it become a smaller, more efficient company.

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