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September sales soar for automakers, Cruze sales flat
By Kalea Hall
LORDSTOWN
Chevrolet Cruze sales came in flat in September, which actually isn’t bad when considering the environment for small cars.
“For most small cars, Cruze included, it’s going to be tough,” said Akshay Anand, executive analyst for Kelley Blue Book.
A total of 15,268 Cruze sedans and hatchbacks were sold in September, up 0.3 percent from last year’s 15,216. Sales show there were 12,739 Cruze sedans and 2,529 hatchbacks sold this year. The sedan is built locally at the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Complex, and the hatchback is built in Mexico for the U.S. market.
“The members are consistently going into work and building a quality car,” said Robert Morales, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1714.
So far this year, Cruze sedan and hatchback sales are up 8.1 percent over last year.
“We are looking forward to finishing off the year strong,” Morales said.
Recently, the two UAW locals, 1714 and 1112, announced they would merge at an unspecified time, in an effort to save GM money and put the plant in the best position for any potential new investment.
“It’s hard to erase a 47-year history,” said Morales, who will be the last president of Local 1714. “But it’s necessary for us to move forward [and] be competitive as a complex.”
Glenn Johnson, president of Local 1112, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Overall, GM reported a 12 percent year-over-year increase in total sales in September to 279,397 units, driven by a 17 percent increase at Chevrolet and a 9 percent increase at GMC.
Bigger sellers for GM were crossovers, with a 43 percent increase in sales; and trucks, with a 10 percent increase in sales.
“They are pushing what’s hot,” Anand said of automakers’ marketing.
With the new versions of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord hitting the market, Anand is interested to see what happens with cars.
“I’m curious if that will shift consumer eyes toward cars,” Anand said. “I am curious how that affects GM [and other automakers]. I am wondering if they will do something [new] with marketing.”
September auto sales were strong across the board because of one extra selling day this year and the impact of the recent hurricanes on sales. September was the first month this year where sales exceeded last year’s. Overall, sales were up 6 percent year over year.
Ford Motor Co. reported U.S. sales increased 8.7 percent to 222,248.
American Honda Motor Co. Inc. reported its best-ever September total sales of 142,722 Honda and Acura vehicles, an increase of 6.8 percent from September 2016.
Toyota Motor North America Inc. reported September 2017 sales of 226,632 units, a 14.9 percent from last year.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles LLC reported sales of 174,266 units, a 10 percent decrease compared with sales in September 2016.