Sales of Chevrolet Cruze show no sign of stalling anytime soon

By Karl Henkel | August 3, 2011 at 12:10a.m.

Photo

LORDSTOWN

For the fourth-straight month, the Chevrolet Cruze topped 20,000 sales, which has some experts praising the lasting power of the Lordstown-built compact car.

General Motors Co. sold 24,648 Cruzes in July, according to sales figures released Tuesday.

Originally, many thought the Cruze’s success was based on $4-per-gallon gas the nation saw earlier this year, but after the Cruze became the best-selling car in America in June, experts agreed the car is no fluke.

“That’s what happens with gas prices is [sales] peak,” said Kristen Andersson, an analyst for TrueCars.com.

“There’s a certain segment of consumers that purchase based on gas prices, but there’s a larger base of consumers who buy based on what the automakers offer. In this case, consumers are responding to the actual vehicle.”

The Cruze did not repeat as best-seller in July despite its second-best month ever. The Toyota Camry rebounded from parts shortages as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and sold 27,016 units.

The Cruze’s best month was April, when 25,016 were sold. Still, the Cruze has sold 147,620 units so far in 2011, and the car’s popularity continues to rise.

“If you build it, they will come,” said Dave Green, president of United Auto Workers Local 1714. “We’re taking a lot of pride in building it. The Chevy Cruze will be on top of the compact-car category for a long time.”

Green said he’s talked with local dealers recently who wish they had more Cruzes to sell.

“People want to buy them,” Green said. “But there’s just not enough supply out there.”

Overall, sales rose 8 percent at General Motors.

Don Johnson, vice president of U.S. sales operations for GM, said figures should improve as the year wears on.

“There are people who put off vehicle purchases because of uncertainty about fuel prices, vehicle availability and the economy,” he said. “As these conditions improve in the latter half of this year, many of these buyers will return to the market.”

Other automakers also reported July sales totals Tuesday. Ford Motor Co. said sales rose 6 percent.

Chrysler Group LLC, buoyed by a 76 percent increase in Jeep Grand Cherokee sales, said its sales rose 20 percent.

Honda Motor Co. suffered a 28-percent setback, and Toyota’s sales dropped 23 percent.

July had 27 selling days, one more day than a year ago.