Chevrolet Traverse sales decreased in the United States and Mexico during the first quarter of 2019.
Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q1 2019 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 34,223 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 10 percent compared to 38,198 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE | -10.41% | 34,223 | 38,198 |
Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q1 2019 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 184 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 38 percent compared to 295 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE | -37.63% | 184 | 295 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
After a 14 percent growth in the fourth quarter of 2018, Chevrolet Traverse sales slowed during Q1 2019. But despite the decrease in sales volume, the Traverse still managed to move up one spot in the sales rankings, from fourth to third place.
The performance puts the full-size Chevy crossover in third place in its segment, behind the Ford Explorer (see Ford Explorer sales) and its police-duty twin – the Police Interceptor Utility (see Police Interceptor Utility sales), which maintained its first place position. The Toyota Highlander was second in the segment, followed by the Traverse. Trailing the Traverse were the Honda Pilot, all-new Subaru Ascent, Nissan Pathfinder, Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales), Dodge Durango (see Dodge Durango sales), Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales), and the all-new Kia Telluride, which is just now launching across the U.S.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Full-Size Crossovers - Q1 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 | Q1 19 SHARE | Q1 18 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | -1.52% | 53,306 | 54,131 | 20% | 22% |
| FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY | -0.66% | 8,616 | 8,673 | 3% | 3% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -0.49% | 52,621 | 52,882 | 20% | 21% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | -10.41% | 34,223 | 38,198 | 13% | 15% |
| HONDA PILOT | -12.89% | 32,957 | 37,833 | 13% | 15% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | * | 19,073 | * | 7% | 0% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | -4.15% | 17,354 | 18,106 | 7% | 7% |
| DODGE DURANGO | +4.84% | 17,019 | 16,233 | 6% | 7% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | +5.60% | 15,979 | 15,132 | 6% | 6% |
| MAZDA CX-9 | -16.52% | 6,418 | 7,688 | 2% | 3% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | * | 5,395 | * | 2% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +5.66% | 262,961 | 248,876 |
The mainstream full-size crossover segment grew 5.66 percent in Q1 2019, with 262,961 units sold compared to 248,876 units sold in the first quarter of 2018.
The Traverse held 13 percent market share during the quarter, behind the combined 23 percent held by the Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility and 20 percent held by the Toyota Highlander.
For informational and comparative purposes, we are also providing sales figures for midsize and midsize-plus crossover SUV models that overlap with full-size crossover SUVs like the Traverse, either in price, seating capacity or both. In other words, these not-quite-full-size crossovers are often cross-shopped with full-size crossover SUVs. These models include:
- GMC Acadia (see GMC Acadia sales), Kia Sorento, and Mitsubishi Outlander – which are midsize crossovers with three rows
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (see Jeep Grand Cherokee sales), Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer, and the new Hyundai Santa Fe, which have two rows of seating but are sold at a similar price point to the Traverse and therefore overlap the full-size crossover segment
Sales Numbers - Overlapping Crossover Sales - Q1 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRAND CHEROKEE | +8.05% | 57,749 | 53,448 |
| ACADIA | +4.35% | 31,200 | 29,900 |
| EDGE | -5.31% | 30,920 | 32,654 |
| SANTA FE | +0.46% | 28,683 | 28,552 |
| SORENTO | +10.44% | 23,619 | 21,386 |
| OUTLANDER | +4.89% | 13,740 | 13,099 |
| MURANO | -43.40% | 11,729 | 20,722 |
| BLAZER | * | 3,023 | * |
The GM Authority Take
The decline in Chevrolet Traverse sales during the first quarter isn’t great news, especially when taking into account the fact that the segment experienced a 5.6 percent growth during the time period. Though only two competing models – the Dodge Durango and Volkswagen Atlas – posted sales increases, two all-new entries – the Subaru Ascent and Kia Telluride – came in to take share from existing players.
We believe that the decline in Chevrolet Traverse sales during the first quarter was caused by a combination of the following factors:
- Lack of significant manufacturer incentives relative to the competition
- Stronger competition delivering a more modern product (Kia, Subaru)
It’s worth noting that the impending launch of the upcoming 2020 Ford Explorer could be stifling sales of the perennial segment sales leader, as some buyers hold out for the arrival of the 2020 Explorer, which moves to a rear-drive architecture. Given these circumstances, it will be interesting to watch Chevrolet Traverse sales performance during the rest of the year.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Traverse Q1 2018 sales
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
- Ford Police Interceptor Utility is the police version of the Ford Explorer; Police Interceptor Utility sales are not included in the Explorer line item
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Traverse news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
About Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a full-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is the biggest Chevrolet crossover currently offered, slotting above the subcompact Chevrolet Trax and compact Chevrolet Equinox. It will also slot above the much-rumored, future Chevrolet Blazer.
The current model was introduced for the 2018 model year and represents the second generation of the Traverse nameplate. It rides on the extended-length GM C1 platform shared with the second-generation Buick Enclave. A shorter variant of the same platform underpins the second-gen GMC Acadia, first-gen Cadillac XT5 and all-new 2019 Chevy Blazer.
Compared to its first-generation predecessor, the second-gen Traverse is an all-new vehicle that is larger, lighter, sleeker and more modern. It also introduces new trim levels, including High Country and RS - neither of which were present on the first-generation model.
The Chevrolet Traverse is built at the GM Delta Lansing Township factory in Michigan operated by GM USA. It is currently the only plant that builds the Traverse in any part of the world.
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- Chevrolet Traverse info
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Traverse sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
Comments
Probably because they don’t offer 8 passenger options on Premium and high Country trims.
Premier**. Niche.
Trust me when I say you don’t want the eight passenger seat arrangements. You want the second row captain chairs. The small walk through in between the second row captains chairs makes it much easier to get to the third row bench seats. The second row passenger is an option all LT cloth and above, you do not have to get the Premier trim level to get the second row captain seats.
Impressive numbers for the Ascent. This is a cut throat segment- be great or fall.
It really is a cut throat segment, the surprise for me, is that the CX-9 is languishing at the bottom of the sales chart, and in my opinion, it’s the most rounded entrant in the class
The CX-9 is a great driving vehicle and has a high quality interior. But it’s simply not what the average American family wants. It doesn’t have the clever features or storage or space that Americans love so very much.
I sell Mazda and Volvo. Part of the big issue that causes them to lose sales is because they refuse to offer second row captain seating. Above, Joe touches on that very thing and he’s spot on. I haven’t seen it yet, but supposedly Volvo will be (finally) offering the XC90 with captain’s for 2020.
Other than that, although I like the CX9 and feel it’s the best driving Mazda offered (not talking sports car here), it just doesn’t do anything super well and it comes across as very average. Yes the interior is nice overall, but the reliability of the CX9 has not shown to be the greatest. Not bad, just not good either.
Mazda doesn’t have a lot of stores like most of its rivals and the brand has very little advertisements, as well.
I am i the market for such a vehicle and honestly as much as I love the look and feel of the Traverse I am concerned about quality and cost of maintenance after warranty lapses.
I am honestly looking at other options
Don’t be. I think you are basing your concern off old and quite outdated information? You don’t say what you are forming that opinion on, thus I have to guess from false information.
Chevrolet’s (and all GM for that matter) are and have been quite good for some time now.
Probably because they don’t offer performance engines like twin turbos or a V8 like dodge and ford do… hence they don’t compete..
I wish the 5.3 is was available in the Traverse.
I honestly think there’s also a bit of public backlash against Chevrolet. With the plant closures of Chevrolet vehicles and the ill timed launch of the Blazer made in Mexico, I think it plays a big part in sales of other Chevrolet vehicles. They need another Heartbeat Of America moment concerning both production and marketing.
If there is backlash, then it is limited to the areas impacted by the plant closures… which is not the majority of the country. And even those areas impacted by the closures have seen sales of GM vehicles steady.
I would, however, stare that the alleged backlash isn’t against Chevrolet, but rather against GM. Interestingly, few “regular” car buyers know or understand that the Teo are related. And that’s good, since the majority of car buyers are of the “regular” (non-enthusiast) variety.
I will say that the Traverse should have the LGX engine standard as well as have towing ability on the lowest trim.
Excluding towing ability/roof rack from lower trim is not great.
I think part of the problem price and equipment as compared to the competition. Then they also have a marketing problem as with most of GM products. Add to that the availabilty of equipment across the different models and their terrible web site for build and buy.