Compact auto segment sales in December 2010, USA (click to zoom)
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%).
However, the Cruze almost caught up with the Ford Focus (10.83%) and Volkswagen Jetta (11.05%) while beating the Nissan Sentra (9.16%), Kia Forte (4.84%), Hyundai Elantra (4.02%), Subaru Impreza (3.62%), the (plastastic) Dodge Caliber (2.09%), Scion TC (1.36%), and the Suzuki SX4 (1.04%). A total of 117,629 units were sold in the segment during December 2010.
All in all, the Cruze performed fairly well given GM’s slow production ramp of the Delta II-based model and the fact that it’s a brand new nameplate in a market dominated by established players from Japan. We expect it to grow its share by at least five percentage points as GM ramps the Cruze’s launch, including production and promotion.
That said, the Cruze is clearly the segment leader in terms of quality, styling, and sheer driving dynamics at this point in time — an opinion we don’t expect to change any time soon, even with the impending launch of the new Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.
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Comments
looks good for a new name, and I hope this name will stay. Cobalt only existed for 5-6 years. Maybe do a SS version? or coupe? + SS? to compete with SI. But then again it’ll have to outperform SI.
Where does Impreza belong to?
Hmm, I completely forgot about the Impreza, didn’t I? Looks like I’ll need to make some edits to this chart, then. It’s interesting given that I live in a state (Colorado) where the most Subarus are sold across the entire US of A! They only sold 4,259 units of the Impreza in December, so the Cruze has them beat — although the Impreza and Cruze don’t compete head-on (in my opinion).
Having just bought a new Cruze myself, though, I have to say that a performance version is needed… badly. Stick that 2.0 liter ECOTEC turbo in there and call it a day! Of course I’d like some all wheel drive to go with that, but that may be reaching, since the Delta II platform doesn’t currently support AWD.
And you’re absolutely regarding the coupe. In fact, I’ve been a long-standing proponent of the Cruze being a RANGE of vehicles, much like VW has the Golf range — with the 5 door and 3 door hatches, 5 door wagon, coupe/cabriolet/EOS, and Jetta sedan. With the Cruze hatch, they’re on their way — but to seriously compete with VW globally, this is an absolutely necessity.
– Alex
Fixed and fixed. I added Impreza, Scion TC, and Suzuki SX4. The folks at Mitsubishi don’t reveal sales numbers — so they’re not on the list.
– Alex
The chevy cruze is a nice tight small vehicle. I especially like the look of the RS appearance package.
I beleive it truly elevates the cruze to a higher standard.
I believe and its just my opinion…that every cruze should have that appearance package.
Just gives the cruze a premium look that GM can afford to give its product line at this crucial time..
Probably costs GM an extra hundred bucks for the exterior RS portion of the package.
Short sightedness on GM’s part..IMO to make it extra…but even so…its still a smart move on the consumer..who orders the RS appearance package…(dependant on the cost of such a package)
Anyone know what it costs?
And the steering wheel should not be made of such a cheap material no matter what level is being purchased..
The base malibu’s steering wheel was so cheap… I believe some of the toy cars the kids buy at toys are U are of a higher quality…
I’m sure the leather wrapped is fine…its the base steering wheel that desperately needs an upgrade..(at least on the Malibu I recently drove)
How is it on the base cruze?
I agree – the RS package would be nice if it were standard. Unfortunately, the GM guys don’t feel remotely close! They think that offering these packages/options “broadens” their lineup (their words) — giving people options. If they don’t want the RS package, they don’t need to get it. But if they do want it, pay a bit extra for it.
So I think that the RS package doesn’t need to be standard on all Cruzes, but cruise control (pun!) and USB/Bluetooth should be. Believe it or not, many people could care less how their car looks (as evidenced the gobs of folks buying the fantastically ugly Subaru Impreza or Toyota Corolla). Expect an article about this shortly.
Alex