Cruze Rebounds as GM, Ford Report Sales Losses

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – While two of the three American automakers posted sales decreases in August, the final full month of summer proved to be good news for the Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze, which ended its streak of decreasing sales.

The Cruze took the No. 2 spot on Chevy’s sales sheet as 22,342 were delivered to showrooms last month, a 52.4% climb from August 2015. In July, just 13,723 Cruzes were sold, putting the car at the fourth position in Chevy’s sales rankings.

Overall, General Motors reported a 5.2% drop in sales last month, delivering 256,429 vehicles as the company continues to de-emphasize rental sales. Of those, 212,915 were sold to individual customers.

Chevrolet remained the company’s top brand, delivering 174,965 cars, trucks and SUVs in August, a 3.9% fall from the same month a year ago. The Silverado topped the sales sheet with 52,408 delivered.

Buick sales fell 2.7% to 21,678, with the Encore topping sales with 5,843 leaving showrooms. Sales of the GMC truck and SUV brand totaled 42,440, a 14% drop. Cadillac was the only GM brand to report a sales gain in August as sales were up 3.9% to 16,346.

“All the economic factors continue to point toward a strong second half of the year and another potential record year for the industry,” said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM’s chief economist, in a release. “We think the industry is well positioned for a sustainable high level of customer demand.”
Between its two brands, Ford Motor Co. reported an 8.4% drop in sales, down to 214,482, the company announced Thursday morning. While sales of the Ford brand fell to 205,239, a 9% decline from August 2015, the Lincoln nameplate saw a 7% increase, reaching 9,243 vehicles delivered.

Leading sales for Ford was the F-Series pickup truck line, with 66,946 purchased, representing a 6.1% fall from last year. Sales of Ford’s cars were down 26.5% to 49,069, while SUV sales fell just under 2% to 67,798. Lincoln sales were topped by the MKZ with 2,754 delivered.

“Strong sales of high-end Lincoln vehicles and Ford SUVs also helped us continue outpacing the industry in average transaction pricing, which increased $1,200 versus a year ago,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford’s vice president or U.S. marketing, sales and service, in a statement.

Fiat Chrysler climbed 3%, the company reported, totaling 196,756. Of its four American-made brands, three posted year-over-year sales increases. The only brand to report a decrease was Chrysler, which sold 18,753 vehicles, a 22% fall.

Jeep sales were up 12% with 86,468 hitting the streets. The Cherokee led the brand’s sales with 23,932 delivered. Sales of Dodge were up 5% to 44,340 and topped by the Journey, of which 11,732 were sold. The Ram truck line reported a 2% gain with 44,426 sold.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.