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Chevy Cruze Sales Rev Up 45% in September
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Though it wasn't the vehicle's highest selling month in terms of volume, the Chevrolet Cruze saw sales soar nearly 45% in September compared to the same month a year ago, General Motors Co. reported yesterday.
GM said it delivered 18,415 Cruzes during the month versus 12,730 units sold in September 2013, a 44.7% increase.
The Cruze, manufactured at GM's Lordstown Complex, is GM's best-selling passenger car and is second in volume sales only to the Chevrolet Silverado, continuously the highest seller in the automaker's portfolio.
GM delivered 223,437 vehicles during the month, up 19% compared to a year ago. Retail deliveries were up 17%, while fleet sales were up 30%, the company reported.
"GM saw strength across the board in September and outpaced the industry with the newest trucks and SUVs at exactly the right time," said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of sales operations. "We will have improved availability of heavy-duty pickups and large SUVs in the months ahead, and the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon are arriving at showrooms as we speak. This sets us up to finish the year on a strong note."
Chrysler Group also reported big sales gains in September, the automaker said.
Chrysler reported sales of 169,890 units, up 19% from last year and the best September sales period since 2005.
“Continued consumer demand for our new Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, our Jeep models and the Ram pickup truck helped Chrysler Group achieve a 19% sales increase in September and our 54th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth,” said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. Sales. “Chrysler Group sales continue to demonstrate strength as we recorded our seventh month of double-digit growth this year.”
Jeep brand sales increased 47%, Ram was up 35%, Chrysler sales climbed 14% and Fiat was up 6%. Dodge sales declined 9%.
Meantime, Ford Motor Co. saw its sales slip 2.7% in September compared to a year ago, the automaker said, largely because of reduced inventory of its F-150 pickup truck, which will receive a makeover in 2015.
Two other major automakers with a presence in the United States, Toyota and Honda, reported sales gains of 18.5% and 12% respectively during the month versus year-ago sales.
Pictured: A carrier prepares to transport Cruzes from the Lordstown plant.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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