Despite a 2.2% decline in third-quarter sales, GM's electric vehicles see growth.

• Sales of electric vehicles and small crossovers contributed to GM's slightly better-than-expected sales during the third quarter.
• In the third quarter, the Detroit automaker experienced a 2.2% decline in sales from the previous year, with a total of 659,601 vehicles sold.

During the third quarter, slightly better-than-expected sales were reported due to the rise in sales of electric vehicles and small crossovers.

Despite expectations from auto industry forecasters such as Cox Automotive and Edmunds, General Motors reported only a 2.2% drop in third-quarter sales compared with a year earlier, totaling 659,601 vehicles sold.

Cox Automotive and Edmunds predict that the overall industry's third-quarter sales will be down roughly 2% compared to the previous year.

Despite a 60% year-over-year increase in EV sales during the quarter, GM's total third-quarter sales were still dominated by non-EV vehicles, with EVs accounting for only 4.9% of the company's total sales.

Despite withdrawing most of its previously announced electric vehicle targets, GM believes its EV sales momentum is growing due to an expanding lineup of all-electric vehicles priced between $35,000 and $300,000.

"Rory Harvey, GM president of global markets, including North America, stated in a CNBC interview last month that the company is leading the industry in EV growth. In the U.S., GM has the most comprehensive EV lineup among manufacturers."

The sales of small crossovers, including the Chevrolet Trax, Buick Envista, and Envision, increased significantly compared to the previous year, according to GM's report.

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