Dealerships have noticed a spike in demand for Chevrolet’s back-to-basics Captiva Sport crossover, which GM began selling as a fleet-only model two years ago to curb fleet sales of their other crossovers, including the larger Equinox.
According to Automotive News, retail consumers are flocking to used Captiva Sports. Jason Hachmeister, co-owner of Sterling Chevrolet in Sterling, Ill., told Auto News that he bought “a bunch” of lightly used 2014 Captiva Sports at an auction recently, all with fewer than 10,000 miles on them. He said “in the know” customers are coming in looking for the crossover now that it has been on the market for a couple of years. So far, he has sold five used Captiva Sports in the first month and half of 2014.
“It makes a nice switch vehicle for customers who don’t want to spend a few thousand more for an Equinox,” explained Hachmesiter.
The wholesale value of Captiva Sport base LS models at auction is $11,500, about $2,000 less than a comparable Equinox, Ricky Beggs, editorial director of Black Book told Auto News.
The Captiva Sport was brought back as a fleet vehicle so Chevrolet could have more retail supplies of the popular Equinox crossover on hand. GM mostly sells the Captiva Sport to rental agencies, but GM spokesman, Robert Wheeler, said the crossover is also popular among pharmaceutical representatives and other salespeople.
Comments
One idea would be that the people who are buying them are prior Saturn owners. The Captiva is a Saturn Vue with a Bowtie on it. Wish GM could see by this and the popularity of the Encore that people like the smaller CUV. I think the Trax would sell descent here in the US. I know the talk that the Equinox is to shrink, however I think that having several different sizes and shapes would appeal to more people. Not everyone wears the same length and width of shoes.
Talk of different size trucks why not different size CUV’s? That fleet only deal is just strange. How many would they sell if available NEW at dealers. GM and Chevy dealers are selling them anyway, so Equinox/Terrain are losing sales.
The GM CUV and SUV lines will pick up in more sizes soon. GM has had to sort out platforms before getting new models on the market only to pull them after a couple years for what they really wanted. Just because they sell something overseas does not mean it is ready for here or even the best option for here.
The Captiva is part Saturn leftover buyers and a lot of good vehicle for a cheap used price.
It has not hurt the Nox or Terrain in any way as they keep posting better and better numbers even as they age.
Like I have said the market is going to be all about price to the average buyers as people just are not making more money and can not afford the extra $100 per month to the payment like they used to.
Our economy sucks, prices for everything are on the rise and health care that many had that was affordable just made the largest jump ever because of the government. They want economic equality do they are going to break everyone.
I see a lot of the Captivas around the Metro Detroit area and if I was in the market for a new CUV/SUV/whatever-the-trendy-name-is the Chevrolet Captiva would be #1 on my list. It’s the closest we can get to filling the void the Trailblazer has left behind.
My local GM dealer sells Captivas to anyone, not just fleets. I can buy one whenever I wish to, and there are many Captivas that I have seen on local roads here.
Raymondjram – Yes, in Puerto Rico, the Captiva is sold to anyone. Makes me jealous. I like the Captiva so much. I have considered going to Mexico to import a loaded V6 AWD model back to the states.
I want one. It’s the perfect size. That’s really the selling point for me.
Ah Brian the Cativia has nothing to do with the Trailblazer.
The Nox replaced it in the line up in size but being FWD based it never fully replaced it. Note the Captiva is a smaller version of the same platform that the Nox uses.
If anything the size is appealing to those who what more utility and easy to drive smaller dimensions.