Domestic Auto Sales Up, Cruze Sales Drop

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – American automakers all reported double-digit sales gains in October, continuing their increases in September. The Big Three also reported that October sales increased year-over year.

General Motors Co. sales rose 15.9% to 262,993 as three of its five brands reported gains.

Chevrolet led with 183,464 vehicles delivered, a jump of 17.6% over October 2014. The Silverado pickup was its top seller with 51,647 while the best-selling car was the Malibu with 24,725 sold.

The Chevy Cruze, assembled in Lordstown, continued its sales decline as 15,710 left showrooms, a 35.3% decline from October 2014. Sales were up from September, however, when sales totaled just over 14,000.

GMC sales climbed 18% to 45,478 with the Sierra pickup as the best seller. That model moved 18,521 units last month. Sales for Cadillac climbed to 15,391, a 13% increase from the same month last year. The SRX crossover led sales for the luxury brand with 6,020 sold, a 65.4% year-over-year increase.

The only GM brand to report a drop was Buick, which sold 18,660 cars and SUVs, 39 fewer than October 2014. Buick’s best-selling model was the Encore with 6,633 delivered, a 38.8% increase from last year. It was the only Buick model to post a sales increase.

Ford Motor Co. reported a 13% increase for October sales as 213,938 vehicles were sold. Sales for the Ford brand were up 14.3% to 205,453, while Lincoln sales dropped 4.5% to 8,485.

Leading sales for Ford was the F-Series pickup truck line as 65,500 left dealership lots, a 3.3% gain over October 2014. Its top-selling car was the Fusion with 23,668, a 3.3% gain over last year. SUV sales were led by the Escape, whose sales fell 0.8% to 24,719 last month.

Lincolns were led by the MKZ sedan, of which 2,406 were sold last month. The only two Lincoln models reporting sales gains over last year were the MKX and MKT SUVs, which sold 2,189 and 456 respectively.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reported it sold 195,545 vehicles, a 15% increase over October 2014 and the company’s highest total for the month since 2001. Five of the six brands – Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat – reported year-over-year gains. The gain is Fiat Chrysler’s 67th straight month of year-over-year gains.

For the Chrysler nameplate, sales rose 1% to 27,801 cars and vans. The 200 led sales with 11,905 delivered, a 2% increase from last year.

Sales of Jeeps shot up 33% as 73,651 SUVs were sold, led by the Cherokee shipping 17,673. Also boosting sales were the Patriot, which had a 56% jump in sales to 10,191, and the Compass with 6,101 sold, a 42% increase over last year.

Sales of Dodges hit 46,612 in October, a 12% climb from the year before. Leading sales was the Caravan with 12,094, a 21% gain over October 2014.

The Ram truck line led for Fiat Chrysler with 43,749 trucks and cargo vans sold last month, a 3% gain. The Ram pickup was responsible for most of the units moved, with 40,391, a 3% year-over-year increase.

For Fiat Chrysler’s two Italian brands, sales of Fiat were up 1% to 3,757 as the introduction of 500X, which moved 2,178 units, offset sharp drops by the 500 – 1,286 sold, a 54% decrease – and the 500L, of which 293 were sold, a 68% drop. Alfa Romeo has only one model, the 4C, which wasn’t in showrooms last October. Sixty-five were sold last month.

Pictured: The Ford Motor Co. F-150 Limited.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.