Which do you want first — the good news, or the bad? We’ll start with the former: the Chevrolet SS Performance Sedan set an all-time monthly sales record in June 2015, selling 354 cars during the month for a 63 percent increase over June 2014.
The bad news is that during the first six months of 2015, sales of the four-door sports car were down 8 percent compared to the first six months of 2014.
Chevrolet SS Performance Sedan Results - First Half 2015
| MODEL | JUN 15 / JUN 14 | JUNE 15 | JUNE 14 | YTD 15 / YTD 14 | YTD 15 | YTD 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | +63.13% | 354 | 217 | -7.70% | 1,534 | 1,662 |
On top of that, the 354 units sold in June represent a measly 0.2 percent of overall Chevrolet sales (totaling 181,256 units sold) and an even smaller 0.14 percent of overall GM sales (totaling 259,353 units) for the month. That’s right, that means that the SS Sedan accounts for less than a percent of overall Chevy and GM sales.
But that’s ok, since the SS — which carries a starting price of $45,745 — is and has been a car for enthusiasts and therefore appeals to a small subset of aficionados who appreciate a four-door, rear-drive, V8-powered sedan to pay homage to the Pontiac G8. Both vehicles ride on GM’s Zeta platformed provided by the Aussie-market Holden Commodore, and are manufactured at the GM-Holden Elizabeth plant in South Australia.
Sales Results - June 2015 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | JUN 2015 / JUN 2014 | JUNE 2015 | JUNE 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMARO | +11.53% | 8,611 | 7,721 | -8.74% | 42,593 | 46,672 |
| CAPRICE | -63.36% | 159 | 434 | -53.64% | 803 | 1,732 |
| CAPTIVA SPORT | -99.90% | 4 | 3,959 | -99.82% | 53 | 28,811 |
| CITY EXPRESS | * | 1,073 | * | * | 4,284 | * |
| COLORADO | +12,758.82% | 6,558 | 51 | +56,852.05% | 41,575 | 73 |
| CORVETTE | +3.08% | 2,807 | 2,723 | +3.17% | 18,307 | 17,744 |
| CRUZE | -12.92% | 22,647 | 26,008 | -11.97% | 127,938 | 145,338 |
| EQUINOX | +0.06% | 21,760 | 21,748 | +20.57% | 145,685 | 120,831 |
| EXPRESS | -35.62% | 5,238 | 8,136 | -32.44% | 26,697 | 39,514 |
| IMPALA | -41.54% | 8,406 | 14,378 | -26.02% | 58,071 | 78,499 |
| MALIBU | -5.63% | 15,228 | 16,137 | -6.75% | 96,520 | 103,505 |
| SILVERADO | +18.45% | 51,548 | 43,519 | +14.60% | 275,822 | 240,679 |
| SONIC | -18.77% | 7,894 | 9,718 | -26.62% | 36,976 | 50,390 |
| SPARK | +4.02% | 3,857 | 3,708 | -12.96% | 19,409 | 22,299 |
| SS | +63.13% | 354 | 217 | -7.70% | 1,534 | 1,662 |
| SUBURBAN | -54.50% | 2,996 | 6,584 | -0.78% | 23,386 | 23,571 |
| TAHOE | -44.45% | 6,192 | 11,147 | -8.17% | 42,091 | 45,838 |
| TRAVERSE | -17.66% | 8,721 | 10,592 | +18.01% | 61,430 | 52,053 |
| TRAX | * | 5,971 | * | * | 24,815 | * |
| VOLT | -31.06% | 1,225 | 1,777 | -34.74% | 5,622 | 8,615 |
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -3.88% | 181,256 | 188,567 | +2.50% | 1,053,619 | 1,027,908 |
Sales Results - June 2015 - USA - GM Totals
| BRAND | JUN 2015 / JUN 2014 | JUNE 2015 | JUNE 2014 | YTD 2015 / YTD 2014 | YTD 2015 | YTD 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -3.88% | 181,256 | 188,567 | +2.50% | 1,053,619 | 1,027,908 |
| CADILLAC TOTAL | -3.06% | 13,515 | 13,941 | -1.48% | 80,899 | 82,117 |
| BUICK TOTAL | -18.09% | 17,531 | 21,403 | -6.31% | 106,314 | 113,472 |
| GMC TOTAL | +8.04% | 47,051 | 43,550 | +13.92% | 264,713 | 232,371 |
| GM USA TOTAL | -3.03% | 259,353 | 267,461 | +3.41% | 1,505,545 | 1,455,868 |
Comments
Oh well….At least we know there are Chevy enthusiasts willing to pay the premium for what’s otherwise a fantastic sedan! So much missed opportunity for GM with this one….I’ll still hope for an Alpha/Omega-based sedan to replace the Commodore/Caprice/SS. But I’m not holding my breath…..
Completely agree with the missed opportunity by GM to make this car more desirable asthetically.
It has all the right hardware but in a dowdy wrapping.
It’s simply too expensive in people’s minds. Simple as that. Yes, I agree that it’s probably priced right for what it is, but people don’t want to pay that much for a Chevy sedan. I would LOVE to get an SS, but I can’t afford a new one. It appears that the few showing up on the used market (at least in this area) are selling pretty quickly in the 35k-39k range.
That’s interesting. That means they’re holding their value very, very well. Expectedly so, for a unique vehicle that’s appreciated by those who buy it. In other words, this car has a supply/demand equilibrium.
would having more engine options allow GM to sell more cars making it easier to keep this car around longer or a new generation?
It would. A V6 would likely put it in the mid $30,000, or so.
It’s not a surprise, as there aren’t that many to go around, per GM capping volume so they only just satisfy the export agreement with Holden, and because of CAFE.