Chevrolet’s Car Sales Swell

General Motor Co. has recently reported that Chevrolet cars are outselling trucks, SUVs, and other vehicle types. The brand share for sedans, midsize cars, and compacts peaked at just over 50 percent for the month of June (3rd month in a row) and analysts are citing the public’s desire for more efficient transport as the reason. If this trend continues, Chevy cars will attain the highest sales ratio in 20 years, nearly matching the 52 percent set in May, June, and July of 1991.

“You’ll see continued strength in passenger cars, particularly in the compact and mid-car segments. We have been a very, very strong trucks brand and frankly have underperformed in cars. It’s as simple as that. You have to go back a long way to a car performance this strong,” remarked VP of sales and service for Chevrolet, Alan Batey.

As consumers demand more and more fuel efficiency, car makers are looking toward smaller vehicles as saviors. With plans to release the new Chevy Sonic subcompact in the fall and increased improvements to the already popular Cruze and Malibu, car sales may remain augmented. All things considered there is equal optimism that truck sales will rebound given Chevrolet’s storied past.

“Although the cars will remain robust and strong, I expect the trucks will come back somewhat in the second half of the year,” Batey prophesized. General Motors speculates that, based on current numbers, they will sell 120,000 more vehicles than last year through the first six months of the year.

With the recession slowly dying, it seems that Chevy has positioned themselves nicely to begin making up for lost sales by creating an mpg-friendly lineup of mid-sized and sub compact cars.

Check out the full lineup of Chevrolet cars here

Ford Hopes Three Cylinders Are Better than Four

With expensive gas prices tightening their grip around American wallets, the innovators over at Ford have been losing sleep coming up with ways to combat this fuel-driven oppression. So far, they have arrived at a very un-American solution to the problem: smaller is better. Ford’s engineers have been laboring on a new three-cylinder EcoBoost 1.0-liter engine which they hope will revolutionize the small car market stateside.

This diminutive dynamo hopes to pack as much punch as a four-cylinder while still delivering superior miles per gallon. Ford claims that the EcoBoost will supply an output better than or equal to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine already equipped in the Fiesta. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s VP of global product development shared that “Consumers are telling us they want to buy affordable vehicles that get many more mile per gallon. Our new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will give consumers looking for hybrid-like fuel economy a new, more affordable choice.”

While some critics are still skeptical of three-cylinder sales due to American’s past inclination toward bigger, more powerful engines, the statistics don’t lie. Ford and GM recorded that more than a third of its customers are buying cars with smaller four-cylinder engines which is nearly twice as much as was documented in 2008. With no indication that fuel prices will ever return to the glorious days of yore, consumers are finally waking up to the reality of better mpg or bust.

Chevrolet Earns Four Spots on "Best Cars for the Money" List

The price of a car and its long term value is a feature that every car buyer looks at when shopping for a new vehicle. U.S. News & World Report recognizes the importance of this feature and reveals a list each year that shows the "Best Cars for the Money." This year Chevrolet vehicles earned four spots on this list.

The Malibu was the favorite in the Midsize Car class, thanks to its well-balanced ride, roomy and supportive front seats, and bold styling. In the popular Midsize Crossover category, the Chevy Traverse received the top award. The judges were impressed by its on-road manners, roomy third-row seating, spacious cargo area, and good fuel economy. The best Full Size SUV designation was awarded to the Tahoe for its comfortable interior, smooth ride, good handling, and relatively strong fuel economy, given its size. Finally, the Chevrolet Silverado was named the Best Full Size Truck for the Money. The truck wowed the judges with its comfortable ride, handling, ruggedness, and the wide array of power-train choices, trim levels, suspensions, and bed lengths available to consumers.

Despite the “Best Cars for the Money” title, the award is not necessarily given to the least expensive vehicle in each class. U.S. News & World Report awards the title to vehicles that they believe add value to their owner’s lives throughout the entire ownership experience.