Chevrolet Sets New Global Sales Record During Q3 2012

Chevrolet sold more than 1.25 million vehicles around the world during the third quarter of 2012, representing a 3.1 percent increase compared to the same record-setting time period last year. The sales milestone marks eight straight quarters (2 years) of record-breaking sales for The Bow Tie brand.

Perhaps best of all is the fact that Chevy isn’t planning on decreasing its pace, as the brand plans to continue building momentum by introducing 25 new products around the world in 2013, with 13 of those models being introduced in the U.S. The product transformation plan includes vehicles such as the all-new Impala, all-new Silverado light duty pickup line, the SS performance sedan, Trax subcompact crossover, TrailBlazer midsize SUV and Colorado pickup truck, as well as the Spin MPV and Onix hatchback.

And the fact that Chevy sells more than 60 percent of its vehicles outside of the U.S. should not come as a surprise, as GM has placed increased focus on the brand’s globalization since exiting bankruptcy in 2009. It also should come as no surprise that the Cruze remains the most popular Chevrolet model globally, selling over 550,000 units in 2012, and 1.65 million since its launch in 2008. In addition, sales of the Spark, Aveo/Sonic, and new Malibu are growing as product and availability ramps up, while the Colorado midsize truck has pushed Chevy to monthly sales heights in Thailand, far exceeding the brand’s total in-country sales in 2011.

Meanwhile, Chevy’s sales have grown in all of its top five markets during Q3 2012 compared to 2011:

• The United States – 458,721 vehicles, an increase of 2.1 percent, led by record sales of passenger cars including best-ever monthly sales for Volt, Cruze, Sonic and Spark
• China – 152,328 units, an increase of 3.7 percent
• Brazil – 182,906 sales, up 13.5 percent. The brand will introduce the all-new Onix, a small hatchback that will offer consumers easy-to-use connectivity through Chevrolet MyLink, at the Sao Paulo Auto Show next week
• Russia – 58,453 sales, up 28.8 percent. Momentum continues to build with the launch of seven new products for the region next year
• Mexico – 44,387 sales, an increase of 14.3 percent

The GM Authority Take

A 3.1 percent year-over-year growth in the face of uncertain global economic conditions should not be taken lightly. But Chevy is still no Toyota, which roughly sold twice as many cars during the third quarter. Nevertheless, one step at a time is as good a growth as any.