Chevy Equinox Remains Fastest-Selling Compact Crossover

DETROIT – For the seventh month in a row, consumers made the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Equinox the fastest-selling compact crossover, based on the average time spent on dealer lots. In November, Equinox averaged just 15 days to turn, half the time of other vehicle in the segment.

As Chevrolet increased supply to meet that sustained demand, Equinox retail sales increased 51 percent in November, compared to the same month a year ago. Total Equinox sales jumped 61 percent in November, surpassing both the Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV-4.

Equinox sales also significantly outpaced the overall segment, which increased 30 percent in November. For the 2010 calendar year, Equinox share of the segment has increased almost 3 percentage points, to 10.6 percent.

“We don’t expect sales to slow any time soon,” said Kerry Whelan, owner and president of Buff Whelan Chevrolet in Sterling Heights, Mich. “Almost everyone who test drives an Equinox leaves with an Equinox because of how well it drives, its interior design, and its fuel economy.”

Equipped with the standard 2.4L Ecotec engine and six-speed automatic, the front-wheel-drive Equinox delivers a segment-best 32 mpg highway, according to EPA estimates – better than even the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Equinox also offers the best rear legroom in its class, thanks to the MultiFlex rear seat that slides fore or aft nearly eight inches (203 mm). With the 60/40-split-back rear seat moved all the way forward, the cargo area offers 31.4 cubic feet (889 liters) of storage.

Equinox also features an array of standard safety equipment, including six air bags, anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control. Innovative features available on the Equinox include active noise cancellation technology for increased interior refinement, and a rear-view backup camera with the screen integrated into the center rearview mirror.

These features helped earn the Equinox a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In addition, Consumer’s Digest named the Equinox a 2010 Best Buy, and Auto Pacific named the Equinox the Best in Class for their 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards.

To meet continued consumer demand for the Equinox, Chevrolet has increased production capacity three times since 2009. With the CAMI facility in Ingersoll running at full capacity, Equinox regular production began at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in late September.

The plan utilizes excess capacity from the new CAMI body shop to transport additional Equinox bodies from Ingersoll to Oshawa for paint and final assembly. This adds capacity to build 60,000 to 80,000 more Equinox and GMC Terrain (also built at CAMI) for the Canadian and U.S. markets.

Photo: GM

(Dec 3, 2010)

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