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Chevrolet Cruze Sales Rise 7.7% in March
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Sales of the Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze rose 7.7% during March, as the domestic auto industry turned in some of the best numbers its seen in six years.
General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC all reported gains during the month compared to the same period last year, spurred by lower interest rates and healthy incentives.
GM reported it sold 245,950 new vehicles during the month, the highest March sales it's experienced in five years. Sales at the Detroit automaker rose 6% during the month.
Cruze sales stood at 23,260 units, making the vehicle the best-selling passenger car in GM's portfolio in March, the company said. The company's best-selling vehicle was the Chevrolet Silverado-C/K Pickup with 39,561 models sold.
"GM delivered its best March sales in five years thanks to a strengthening economy and new products," said Kurt McNeil, vice president U.S. sales. "Sales of smaller cars have been robust for some time. Trucks have improved lockstep with the housing market and the strength of the crossover market signals that America's families are more confident about their financial future."
GM estimated the industry's annual sales rate, or a snapshot of yearly sales based on new vehicles sold in a single month, was 15.2 million in March. The company projected total sales this year would fall between 15 million and 15.5 million units industry wide.
As a comparison, the annual sales rate in November 2008 was just 10.5 million, according to records.
Ford reported its business climbed 6%, led by hot sales of the Fusion and Escape. The automaker reported it sold 236,100 new vehicles during the month, its best return since May 2007.
The Ford Fusion recorded its best month ever, as more than 30,284 units were delivered in March, Ford said.
"Customers are buying our all-new Fusion and Escape in record numbers, and we are working harder than ever to keep pace with these fuel-efficient vehicles," said Ken Czubay, head of U.S. sales marketing and service.
Chrysler saidit turned in its best monthly sales since December 2007. The Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker reported that it sold 171,606 new vehicles in March, up 5% compared to a year earlier.
Japanese automaker Toyota reported small a sales increase for the month.
Toyota said that it sold 205,342 new cars and trucks in the U.S. last month, a 1% increase over last year.
"The auto industry continued its string of impressive monthly results, and at Toyota we had our best month since Cash for Clunkers in August of 2009," said Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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