OREANDA-NEWS. Customers snapped up nearly 20,000 Chevrolet Equinox compact SUVs in January – a 34-percent increase over year-ago sales that made it the model’s best January ever and Chevrolet’s second-best selling vehicle, behind the Silverado full-size pickup.

Equinox’s January performance builds on the momentum of five consecutive years of record sales. Annual sales in the U.S. increased to 242,242 last year, accounting for more than 9 percent of the rapidly growing compact SUV market. Compact SUVs eclipsed midsize cars in 2014 for the first time to become the auto industry’s largest segment.

“In one of the industry’s most competitive segments, the Equinox continues to win customers with its value-driven balance of performance, versatility and personal connectivity,” said GM North America President Alan Batey. “It also represents the depth of Chevrolet’s strong SUV lineup, ranging from the all-new Trax small SUV and Traverse to the redesigned 2015 Suburban and Tahoe.”

Chevrolet will introduce an updated 2016 Equinox on February 12 at the Chicago Auto Show.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value.