As Gas Prices Rise, Four Small Chevys Set Monthly Sales Records in August

OXFORD, MAINE (09/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Fuel costs were on the rise in August, and so were sales of Chevrolet's small cars: the Spark, Sonic, Volt and Cruze. As gas prices last month increased the most since June 2009, all four fuel-efficient vehicles had their best-ever sales, helping push Chevy's passenger-car sales up 25 percent and brand-wide sales up 11 percent compared to August 2011.

Chevrolet has placed an extra emphasis on its small cars in recent years, including the Spark mini car, which debuted at dealerships this summer. The 2013 Chevy Spark saw sales eclipse 2,600 units last month, easily beating the previous high of 1,460 units in June. Meanwhile, the Sonic subcompact and electric Volt sold 8,703 and 2,831 units respectively, following in the footsteps of the compact Chevy Cruze, which cemented its spot as the automaker's most popular car with 25,975 sales last month.

"Fuel efficiency continues to grow in importance to consumers as gas prices remain unstable, and Chevrolet has done a fantastic job of getting ahead of the curve," said Rick Smith, general manager of Oxford, Maine Chevy dealership Goodwin Chevrolet Oxford. "Chevy has made a heavy investment in building smaller, fuel-efficient cars that appeal to a wide range of drivers, and the sales numbers indicate that they've been successful."

Chevy hasn't shown any signs of letting up on that investment either, as the automaker recently announced plans to pour $220 million into its Lordstown and Parma, Ohio assembly plants to build the next-generation Cruze. Expected to feature revamped styling, the new Chevy Cruze will also achieve improved fuel efficiency compared to the current model, which would be no mean feat: the 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco can already return up to 42 mpg on the highway.

Key to the Cruze Eco's impressive fuel economy is its ECOTEC 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, which, despite its small displacement, produces a healthy 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The pint-sized powerplant provides ample acceleration as well, with all of its torque available at just 1,850 rpm, yet it sips fuel at highway speeds, offering a cruising range of 529 miles between fill-ups.

Downsized engines don't translate to a downgraded interior in the 2012 Chevy Cruze, however. The compact car offers more passenger space than competitors like the Ford Focus sedan and Toyota Corolla, and occupants can enjoy that extra room more peacefully thanks to a triple-sealed, acoustic-laminated glass windshield. Meanwhile, options like leather upholstery and a premium nine-speaker sound system from Pioneer can create an upscale interior environment.

"The best part about the Cruze is that it feels and drives like a much more expensive car, even as it saves you money on gas," Smith noted. "Chevy has made it so that affordable and fuel efficient no longer mean cheap, and its small-car sales will only increase as more consumers realize that."

About Goodwin Chevrolet Oxford:

A part of the Goodwin Motor Group that has served customers in New England since 1932, Goodwin Chevrolet Oxford is committed to delivering only the best automotive experience at its Maine Chevy dealership. They provide a relaxed atmosphere where car shoppers can browse an extensive inventory of new and used Chevy vehicles and have their questions answered by an expert sales staff. Call them at 877- 897-9716, visit them online at www.goodwinoxford.com or stop by their dealership, located at 1606 Main Street in Oxford. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoodwinChevroletBuick.