Update: added numbers for Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4, and Scion TC. Editor’s Note: Mitsubishi does not disclose sales numbers for Lancer range and was therefore left out.
Hot on the heels of a plethora of exclusive new information about the Chevy Cruze, we’ve decided to compile our famous By The Numbers series outlining the performance of the compact car segment in the United States for the month of December 2010.
As you can see, the bow tie brand’s Cruze obtained a 9.24 percent market share — well below the share experienced by segment leaders Honda Civic (24.03%) and Toyota Corolla (18.78%). Continue counting.

Three…two…one..GREEN! All of you high-speed addicts out there — this one is for you. GM Performance Parts is launching the LSX Challenge Series, a points drag racing series for the 2011 racing season consisting of four races, finishing with the annual LSX Shootout Oct. 6-9 in Indianapolis. Continue racing.

General Motors always seems to be auctioning off something at the Barrett-Jackson charity auction. Last year we saw a pair of special Corvette’s and the first-ever Cadillac CTS Coupe that went towards aiding earthquake-laden Haiti and the College for Creative Studies, respectively. This year, The General had a commemorative Corvette Z06 celebrating 50 years of Corvette Le Mans racing heritage and went for a lofty $210,000. Continue bidding.

Okay, so we’ve got some more mixed messages about future products bound for the U.S. market. This time, it happens to be a Holden Commodore-based sedan (a.k.a. what Americans knew as the now-legendary Pontiac G8). Despite reports confirming such a vehicle bound for the U.S. Chevrolet lineup, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss claims otherwise. How frustrating.
While the Chevy Cruze is undoubtedly the best compact vehicle on the market today, the Delta II-based sedan isn’t seeing the sales success enthusiasts expected in the United States. For its first two full months on the market, the Cruze sold 8,066 units (November 2010) and 10,865 units (December 2010) — lagging behind (inferior) industry stalwarts such as Toyota’s Corolla and Honda’s Civic, which together control nearly 30 percent of the U.S. compact segment. But not all is lost just yet, since Chevrolet has recently told dealers it expects up to six months for the Cruze to reach full market share and sales potential. Continue performing.

For the seventh time in history, the Chevrolet Camaro will be pacing the Indianapolis 500. Not only is the Camaro a perfect fit for the Indy 500′s centennial year, but 2011 marks the same year Chevy turns 100 as well. This Camaro in particular took several design cues from the 1969 Camaro pace car of yore with a matching paint scheme and orange leather interior. Best part, if you’ve got a suitcase full of money, head over to Scottsdale, AZ where the first of fifty Camaro pace cars will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson this Saturday evening. Continue for the full presser.

“The U.S. production version of the Spark will go on sale in early 2012.”
- Direct from a January 2010 NAIAS press release. Continue wondering.

The General is reported to be investing $540 million to reactivate its engine plant in Toluca, Mexico in order to assemble 1.6 and 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines that will be implemented in cars for the North American market. Continue for source.
After a preliminary delay in production, the Chevy Cruze RS is well on its way to full-scale production. We were informed by a reliable source that the fine folks at GM’s Lordstown plant produced nearly 4,000 units of the Cruze RS over the past 30 days, with output set to increase in the months to come. And for those wondering what the hiccup was that delayed the sporty-looking RS, we’re told that the culprit was none other than “unavailable trim pieces” for the body.
You heard it here first, folks. Stay tuned for a slew (literally!) of Cruze coverage in the days to come! Click past the break for a full gallery of the Cruze RS.

Though the average age of the GM Authority staff member is probably 21, we can’t wait to turn 40. Especially if we make it out to be the next American Badass (a.k.a. Detroit’s own Kid Rock) and throw a birthday party at a 60,000-seat football arena in the Motor City, and get a decked-out Chevy Camaro SS on top of it. Continue Kid Rockin’.
