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Buick Encore Sales Decrease 6.3 Percent To 6,488 Units In July 2017

Buick Encore sales decreased in the United States and increased in Canada in July 2017.

Buick Encore Sales – July 2017 – United States

Buick Encore deliveries in the United States totaled 6,488 units in July 2017, a decrease of 6.3 percent compared to 6,923 units sold in July 2016.

In the first seven months of 2017, sales of the subcompact crossover increased 12.6 percent to 48,819 units.

Sales Numbers - Buick Encore - July 2017 - United States

MODEL JUL 17 / JUL 16 JULY 17 JULY 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
ENCORE -6.28% 6,488 6,923 +12.63% 48,819 43,344

Buick Encore Sales – July 2017 – Canada

In Canada, Buick Encore deliveries increased 90.5 percent to 739 units in July 2017.

In the first seven months of the year, sales increased nearly 64 percent to 4,960 units in Canada.

Sales Numbers - Buick Encore - July 2017 - Canada

MODEL JUL 17 / JUL 16 JULY 17 JULY 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
ENCORE +90.46% 739 388 +63.86% 4,960 3,027

The GM Authority Take

The 6.3 percent decline in the Encore’s July U.S. sales represents the first time in 2017 that the model saw sale decrease. We attribute the circumstance to the entry of new competitors in the subcompact crossover segment (B-segment), specifically the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR: the Honda garnered nearly 10,000 sales in July while the Toyota moved almost 3,500 units. Both of the Japanese contenders are newer and are generally seen as better more competitive than the Encore. The Buick also has a higher starting price than both the HR-V and C-HR — while (arguably) offering less.

As such, it appears that the Buick Encore is beginning to experience similar sales-related issues as its platform mate — the Chevrolet Trax, despite significant increases in market demand for crossovers. Going forward, competitive pressures will continue to mount — as Ford enters the segment with the EcoSport, Hyundai launches the Kona, and Nissan introduces the Rogue Sport as a more conservatively-styled alternative to the Juke.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - July 2017 - United States

MODEL JUL 17 / JUL 16 JULY 17 JULY 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
HR-V +32.26% 9,779 7,394 +28.67% 56,407 43,837
TRAX -30.78% 6,552 9,466 +12.65% 43,483 38,601
ENCORE -6.28% 6,488 6,923 +12.63% 48,819 43,344
C-HR * 3,444 * * 8,942 *
JUKE -52.87% 739 1,568 -43.47% 7,984 14,124
TOTAL +6.51% 27,002 25,351 +18.39% 165,635 139,906

Going forward, we expect the newfound competition from Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Ford to continue eating into the Encore’s sales volume until Buick overhauls (redesigns and reengineers) the model. Buick can also boost sales volumes of the current Encore by offering higher incentives, if it sees fit to do so. Though such a move will likely boost sales volume, it will also likely cause transaction prices and associated per-model profits to decrease.

The current, first-generation Buick Encore is built  at the GM Bupyeong factory operated by GM Korea.

Related Sales Reporting

Reporting by Francisco (Frankie) Cruz. GM Authority Take analysis by Alex Luft.

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Comments

  1. While it might not be possible to add more performance to Buick’s Encore, the Encore could still do with something like the ZR2 package Chevrolet has for the Colorado pickup as the Encore needs something that would attract the attention of a younger audience.

    Reply
    1. Off-road capability is the last thing the Encore needs. The segment audience is not interested whatsoever in that, and such a need is better addressed by the GMC brand and its version of a subcompact crossover.

      What the Encore needs most is outstanding design, along with better comfort and convenience features inside. It is lacking in both departments, but much more so in the latter.

      Also, the Bupeyong factory might be at capacity for this vehicle line… though I have not been able to confirm this.

      Reply
    2. They could of done that to the Trax instead of the Encore

      Reply
  2. The Encore needs a lower price and better engine options. The Mocca X has diesel and larger gas options.

    Reply
    1. It doesn’t need a lower price. That position belongs to Chevrolet, and the Trax is the one in need of a lower base price.

      Also, the Encore’s new 1.4T is the best engine in the segment. What both the Encore and Trax need are more convenience and comfort features inside. Look at the horrible single armrest and console and work from there.

      Reply
  3. I think the current Encore is pretty good. I do think however for the Encore to ditch the base 1.4T and make the new 1.4T the base engine and then have the trax to have both the old and new 1.4T to the option list. Another would just probably be the interior packaging as Hondas are generally pretty good about interior packaging which is something that GM could take a lesson or two about it. As well as put rear air vents and a bigger armrest too!

    Reply
    1. I agree, the new motor should be standard, and I think these two are doing better than the monthly numbers represent – looks like there was a big promo last year for July (esp for the Trax), making this month look bad. My mother just bought an Encore, HUGE difference with the new motor, should be standard. Too bad the average person doesn’t know there’s a difference, if only there was a better way to market that.

      Reply
  4. This post makes a lot of sense indeed and I appreciate the work

    Reply
  5. Buick’s Encore sells very well in the United States; but it doesn’t sell well in China and it makes you wonder whether General Motors needs to do something else like adapting the mild hybrid module developed for the 2018 Cadillac XT5 for usage in the Encore because China’s sales have tanked to 2,937 vehicles from last year where 4.570 units were sold in July 2016.

    Reply

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