Despite a widely publicized, controversial recall of one of its models, Chevrolet sales have managed to grow so far this year compared to the same time period last year, according to The Detroit Free Press.
Chevrolet’s U.S. sales are up 2.1% through to July from a year earlier. The growth is impressive and somewhat unexpected, however it’s still behind the 5% increase the industry has seen so far this year.
Chief marketing officer for Chevrolet, Tim Mahoney, said the recall has “been a headwind no doubt,” but also noted that it’s getting more customers into dealers. The rate of people who purchase a new Chevrolet after owning a recalled model is higher than Chevrolet’s sales overall, Mahoney said. Many of those customers are choosing the Sonic subcompact, with Sonic sales of 11.5% year over year.
“They’re staying with the brand,” Mahoney said. “The only marketing we’re doing is pushing to get cars in and fixed.”
Mahoney said CEO Mary Barra’s actions after the recalls were crucial to Chevrolet not being affected as a company by the recall. He said since Barra took the majority of the backlash from the public and the media, other executives have been able to continue onwards and focus on their jobs.
Chevrolet will also introduce five new vehicles in 2015, The Free Press says, including the second-generation Chevrolet Volt at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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