Chevrolet sales momentum continued in September, posting total sales of 121,479, a 19 percent increase from the same month a year ago. Strong consumer demand drove retail sales up 34 percent year over year. Total Chevrolet sales are up 18 percent for 2010 calendar year to date.
The Chevrolet Equinox and Silverado posted the largest gains in September, with total sales up of 70 percent and 66 percent, respectively.
“Equinox and Silverado HD are two examples of Chevrolet successfully attracting new customers to our showrooms,” said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. “Now, our focus now is on building the inventory needed to meet sustained customer demand across our vehicle lineup.”
Total sales for the Chevrolet Silverado climbed 66 percent in September – the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year gains – and are up 17 percent calendar year to date.
Much of that growth can be attributed to the arrival of the new 2011 Silverado HD. The new 2011 Silverado HD was introduced this summer, featuring new frame and suspension designs, and a more powerful Duramax diesel engine with 397 horsepower, 765 lb.-ft. of torque, and 11 percent better fuel-economy. As a result, the 2011 Silverado HD is capable of towing up to 21,700 pounds, or carrying 6,635 pounds of payload.
In August, a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, equipped with the new Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission, bested its competition in the popular 3/4 –ton diesel category, according to the PickupTrucks.com 2010 Heavy-Duty Shootout.
“The Chevy’s combination of the powerful Duramax diesel, all-new frame and suspension and excellent fuel economy put it ahead of the Ford and Ram trucks,” said Mike Levine, editor of Pickuptrucks.com.
Total sales for the Chevrolet Equinox climbed 70 percent in September, and are up 77 percent calendar year to date.
Nearly 85 percent of Equinox buyers choose the fuel-efficient 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine, which delivers the segment’s best EPA-estimated fuel economy of 32 mpg highway and 22 mpg city.
To meet consumer demand, Chevrolet recently started producing Equinox models at the award-winning Oshawa Assembly plant, as well as the CAMI facility in Ingersoll. The plan utilizes excess capacity from the CAMI body shop to transport additional Equinox bodies from Ingersoll to Oshawa for paint and final assembly. Moving some Equinox production to Oshawa also allows the CAMI plant to increase GMC Terrain volume. This is the third production increase for the Equinox and Terrain, and will add the capacity to build 60,000 to 80,000 more vehicles for the Canadian and U.S. markets.
AutoPacific recently named the Equinox the “Most Ideal” vehicle in the Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV category. The awards are based on more than 42,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and trucks in the United States in the first quarter of 2010.
