General Motors’ decision to make Chevrolet a global player much in the likes of the Ford brand is paying off, at least in terms of sales.
The bowtie brand delivered close to 1.3 million vehicles globally in the second quarter of 2012, up 2.3 percent over last year, marking the best quarter ever for Chevrolet and the seventh consecutive quarter of record-breaking sales.
The Detroit-based company said that it posted significant sales increases over the second quarter of last year in four of its top five markets including the U.S. with 513,538 units (+5.2%), China with 141,758 (+2.3%), Russia with 57,286 vehicles (+13.4%) and Mexico with 41,435 units (+11.7 %).
In Brazil, however, Chevrolet’s second biggest market, sales were down 4.2 percent at 153,759 units.
Chevrolet fared well in Europe, despite the financial crisis, selling 61,865 vehicles, up 13.6 percent in a market that was down 6.9 percent.
The automaker’s bestselling nameplate worldwide was the Cruze with more than 350,000 sold so far this year and more than 1.65 million sold since its launch.
“Seven consecutive quarters of record sales is solid proof that Chevrolet is delivering the high quality products, easy-to-use technologies and expressive designs that people around the world are demanding,” said Chris Perry, vice president of global marketing for Chevrolet.
“With even more great new products on the way, we look forward to a strong second half of 2012,” he added.
Upcoming Chevrolet models include the Spark city car and Malibu mid-size sedan in the United States; the Trailblazer mid-size SUV and Colorado mid-size truck in Thailand and other markets; the Spin small MPV in Brazil, the Cruze station wagon in Europe and the new Trax small crossover which is a sister model to the Buick Encore and Opel/Vauxhall Mokka.
