Chevrolet Sells 2.35 Million Vehicles Globally, Best In 100-Year History

“Founded in the United States by a Swiss émigré, Chevrolet was created with a global focus,” said Joel Ewanick, GM global chief marketing officer. “One hundred years later, Louis Chevrolet’s roots continue to shape our company, and enable Chevrolet to offer great products and service to customers in more than 120 countries around the world. We will continue to work at bringing new customers to the Chevy family – no matter where they live.”

Chevrolet sold 286,499 more vehicles in the first half of 2011 than the same time period of 2010, a 14-percent increase year over year. In addition, Chevrolet set record first-half sales in many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, South Africa, and Turkey.

For the first half of 2011, Chevrolet recorded sales gains in all of its top five markets, including:
The United States, where sales are up 16 percent following nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases.

- Brazil, where sales are up 0.4 percent over the best-ever-sales pace set in 2010
- China, where sales climbed 15 percent to set the brand’s best first-half results ever
- Russia, where sales were up 54 percent as the brand continues to be the best-selling global brand in the country
- Canada, where sales climbed 8 percent, and have more than doubled the pace of industry growth for the past 18 months

The potential for Chevrolet’s continued growth is demonstrated in the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia and China. Chevrolet’s combined sales strength in the “BRIC” countries, including India, is unmatched.

Much of Chevrolet’s global growth can be attributed to the wave of new models, such as the Chevrolet Cruze compact car, Spark mini car, all-new Aveo/Sonic small car, and Orlando MPV. They will soon be joined globally by the all-new Chevrolet Malibu midsize car, and the all-new Colorado compact pickup, which will go on sale later this year.

Chevrolet sold more than 330,000 Cruzes worldwide during the first half of 2011, a 132-percent increase over the same time period a year ago. Much of that growth came in China and the United States, where Cruze was the best-selling passenger car in the country in June. Since introduction in early 2009, Cruze has sold more than 800,000 units worldwide and is on track to exceed 1 million before the end of 2012.

“The success of the Cruze illustrates what is possible when you listen to your customers,” said Mary Barra, senior vice president, GM Global Product Development. “By offering drivers more than they expected in a compact car, the Cruze has redefined the global segment and is on track to bring a million new customers to Chevrolet. We are applying that same customer-focused approach to all of our global introductions, including Orlando, Colorado, Malibu, Spark, and Aveo/Sonic.”

Chevrolet sold more than 220,000 Spark minicars worldwide since it was introduced in December 2009. That includes more than 100,000 Sparks sold during the first half of 2011 – a 110 percent gain over a year ago – driven primarily by consumer demand in South Korea, Mexico, and Uzbekistan.

Chevrolet sold more than 150,000 Aveo compact cars in the first half of 2011, including the all-new Aveo, which will be called the Sonic in some markets. Introduced in South Korea in March, the new Aveo/Sonic is currently on sale in nearly 30 countries.