Cruze sales down as expected in February

LORDSTOWN — Sales in February for the Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze weren’t so hot. But that was expected.

The compact car took a 29 percent hit year over year with 12,998 sales compared with 18,301 sales made in February 2014.

The drop was expected as there are fewer Cruzes for sale as General Motors phases out current models as it prepares to launch its successor, the next-generation Cruze.

Overall, GM’s total sales were slightly down to 227,825 from the previous year’s sales of 231,378 because of the automaker’s planned reduction in rental deliveries.

GM reduced daily rental deliveries by about 16,500 units, or 39 percent in February. The automaker grew its commercial business in February for the 28th consecutive month.

GM continued to grow its retail sales and market share in February, a trend that began April 2015. Since then, retail deliveries have been up every month compared to a year ago, and retail market share has been up in 10 of 12 months.

February retail deliveries totaled 179,958 units, up 7 percent.