GM: Chevy sales break record

Staff report

General Motors Co. announced Monday record-breaking sales figures for Chevrolet during 2011’s first quarter, which included the continuing success of the Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze.

Chevrolet sold 1.1 million vehicles — a brand-best record — in the first three months this year, a 15 percent increase over the same period in 2010.

“This is a great way to kick off Chevrolet’s centennial year,” said Joel Ewanick, GM global chief marketing officer, in a statement today. “Our first-quarter results are a clear indication that consumers are responding to our new product line, which only happens when you truly listen to the customer.”

The Chevy Cruze had 150,652 total sales worldwide in the first quarter, a 117 percent increase over last year.

The car, which debuted in Europe in 2009, has surpassed the 600,000-sale plateau, according to GM, and it is now the best- selling Chevrolet nameplate.

“We realize it’s a great compact car,” said Tom Mock, spokesman for GM’s Lordstown production facility. “It’s definitely making an impact in the marketplace.”

Of that figure, more than 100,000 Cruzes have been sold in the United States, 50,205 of them in the first quarter. The Cruze launched in the U.S. in September.

GM expects Cruze sales to continue to climb as it prepares to debut a hatchback version this summer in Europe.