By Shawn Henry 
General Motors reported its best-ever quarter for electric vehicles while posting an 8% overall sales increase in the U.S., underscoring both the company’s momentum and the financial challenges that remain.
The automaker delivered 710,347 vehicles in the third quarter of 2025, according to company data released Tuesday. That figure reflects balanced gains across gasoline-powered and electric lineups. SUVs such as the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Buick Envista all set records, while full-size pickups and large SUVs continued to drive profits. Through nine months, GM has sold 2.2 million vehicles, its strongest start to a year in more than a decade.
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The standout metric, however, was in EVs. GM delivered 66,501 electric vehicles in the third quarter, its highest volume yet and more than double last year’s pace. Year-to-date EV deliveries now total 144,668 units, cementing GM’s role as the No. 2 EV seller in the U.S., behind Tesla. Analysts credited expanded Ultium-based products, better availability, and competitive pricing.
Still, the strong results come with caveats. The federal $7,500 EV tax credit ended earlier this year under the Trump administration, prompting GM and Ford to quickly launch their own incentive programs of the same value. Analysts say those automaker-backed discounts helped sustain momentum into September, but it remains unclear whether demand will hold steady without federal support.
At the same time, GM’s profitability has lagged. The company reported a 35% income drop for the first half of 2025, citing rising costs, tariffs, and heavy EV investments. CEO Mary Barra has insisted the strategy will pay off as new models arrive in 2026 and beyond, though pressure from investors is mounting.
The results highlight GM’s dual reality: growing sales and EV leadership on one hand, but persistent financial strain on the other.