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Cadillac Escalade Sales Decrease 1.42 Percent To 2,994 Units In August 2017

Cadillac Escalade sales decreased in the United States and increased in Canada in August 2017.

Cadillac Escalade Sales Results – United States – August 2017

Cumulative U.S. deliveries of the Cadillac Escalade totaled 2,994 units in August 2017, a decrease of 1.42 percent compared to 3,037 units sold in August 2016. The 2,994 units were comprised of:

  • 1,803 units of the regular-length Escalade, a decrease of 3.43 percent compared to 1,867 units sold in August 2016, and
  • 1,191 units of the extended-length Escalade ESV, an increase of 1.79 percent compared to 1,170 units sold in August 2016

In the first eight months of the year, cumulative Escalade sales decreased a slight 0.6 percent to 22,800 units comprised of:

  • 13,708 units of the regular-length Escalade, a decrease of 2.32 percent, and
  • 9,092 units of the Escalade ESV, an increase of 2.12 percent

Sales Numbers - Cadillac Escalade - August 2017 - United States

MODEL AUG 17 / AUG 16 AUGUST 17 AUGUST 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
ESCALADE -3.43% 1,803 1,867 -2.32% 13,708 14,034
ESCALADE ESV +1.79% 1,191 1,170 +2.12% 9,092 8,903
TOTAL -1.42% 2,994 3,037 -0.60% 22,800 22,937

Cadillac Escalade Sales Results – Canada – August 2017

In Canada, Escalade deliveries increased 37 percent to 322 cumulative units in August 2017. The 322 units were comprised of:

  • 210 units of the regular-length Escalade, an increase of 114 percent compared to 98 units sold in August 2016, and
  • 112 units of the Escalade ESV, a decrease of 18.25 percent compared to 137 units sold in August 2016

In the first eight months of the year, cumulative Escalade deliveries increased 9.18 percent to 1,844 units in Canada, comprised of:

  • 1,155 units of the regular-length Escalade, an increase of 11.7 percent, and
  • 689 units of the Escalade ESV, an increase of 5.19 percent

Sales Numbers - Cadillac Escalade - August 2017 - Canada

MODEL AUG 17 / AUG 16 AUGUST 17 AUGUST 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
ESCALADE +114.29% 210 98 +11.70% 1,155 1,034
ESCALADE ESV -18.25% 112 137 +5.19% 689 655
TOTAL +37.02% 322 235 +9.18% 1,844 1,689

The GM Authority Take

The Escalade continues to lead its segment in cumulative sales volume by a long shot, outselling the next-highest competitor (the Infiniti QX80) by more than a margin of two. In fact, the Escalade outsold all of its competitors combined in August, showing the model’s dominance in the space, while also demonstrating the Escalade’s ability to be a cash cow. It has long been believed that the Escalade is GM’s most profitable vehicle line.

We attribute the continued success of the Escalade in the marketplace to the following factors:

  1. A competitive product that has the right balance of style and price
  2. A significant amount of built-in awareness and reputation, negating the need for much advertising, marketing or promotional support
  3. A continued change in overall consumer purchase dynamics that favors SUVs and CUVs over other vehicles types such as sedans

However, we should note that the Mercedes-Benz GLS Class, which technically is not an SUV but rather a large crossover with car-like driving characteristics, is nipping at the Escalade’s heels, having recorded 2,610 deliveries in August. Cadillac is rumored to be working on a rival crossover to the GLS-Class and upcoming BMW X7 on the Omega platform shared with the Cadillac CT6. That vehicle will likely be called Cadillac XT7 or Cadillac XT8 and slot above the upcoming Cadillac XT6 crossover, which will ride on the long wheelbase variant of the C1 platform.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - August 2017 - USA

MODEL AUG 17 / AUG 16 AUGUST 17 AUGUST 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
ESCALADE -3.43% 1,803 1,867 -2.32% 13,708 14,034
ESCALADE ESV +1.79% 1,191 1,170 +2.12% 9,092 8,903
QX80 -18.48% 1,028 1,261 +13.37% 12,008 10,592
NAVIGATOR -5.27% 755 797 -11.93% 6,484 7,362
LX +10.67% 446 403 +6.35% 3,516 3,306
GLS-CLASS -10.37% 2,610 2,912 +11.25% 20,539 18,462
TOTAL -6.86% 7,833 8,410 +4.29% 65,347 62,659

Cumulative sales of the full-size luxury SUV segment decreased 6.86 percent to 7,833 units in August. During the first eight months of 2017, segment sales increased 4.29 percent to 65,347 units.

About Cadillac Escalade

2015 Cadillac Escalade 036

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) that is comprised of the regular-length Escalade and extended-length Escalade ESV. Currently, the Escalade represents the most expensive Cadillac vehicle in the lineup, therefore serving as its flagship.

The current, fourth generation Escalade was introduced for the 2015 model year. The vehicle is based on the GM K2 platform (officially called GMT-K2). The same platform underpins the fourth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe, 11th-generation Chevrolet Suburban, and fourth-generation GMC Yukon.

For the 2018 model year, the Escalade gets a new exterior color and two new interior color combinations, the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission in place of the 8-speed unit, the addition of Tire Fill Alert to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, improvements to the center console, addition of a new 12-spoke, 22-inch wheel design to the Platinum model, and a few other changes. The vehicle is expected to be replaced by an entirely new, next-generation model for the 2020 model year. As such, the 2018 model year Escalade will likely end up as the second-to-last model year of the current, fourth-gen model.

The Cadillac Escalade is built exclusively at the GM Arlington factory in Texas operated by GM USA. The vehicle is exported from the plant in small quantities to international markets such as China, Russia, Europe and the Middle East.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Cadillac Escalade August 2016 sales
  • In the United States, there were 27 selling days in August 2017 and 26 selling days in August 2016
  • In Canada, there were 26 selling days in August 2017 and 25 selling days in August 2016

Related Sales Reporting

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. Maybe I live in anomaly-ville, but ‘Sclade’s competitive set here seems to be Yukon/Denali, Tahoe (all black), Range Rover (white), some Audi.

    Don’t see as much of the rest of the list being put to use for kid sports-ferrying duty. But it could be’ like I said, a regional soccer/hockey/road team mobile. Lots of XL Yukon/Tahoe.

    Reply
  2. We attribute the continued success of the Escalade in the marketplace to the following factors:

    1. A competitive product that has the right balance of style and price
    2. A significant amount of built-in awareness and reputation, negating the need for much advertising, marketing or promotional support
    3. A continued change in overall consumer purchase dynamics that favors SUVs and CUVs over other vehicles types such as sedans

    What about:
    4. A vehicle that is proudly unique among luxury brands, rather than being a “proper” copy of someone else’s success story.
    5. A vehicle which stays true to Cadillac’s classic core values, as evidenced by a real name, not a letter/number.

    And I really doubt that 1. above is entirely true, given that competitive price is not a big factor for Escalade’s success.

    Reply
    1. 1. Yes, the Escalade does in fact provide a “value proposition”, especially when compared to the likes of the MBZ GLS, the Bentley Bentayga, and Porsche Cayenne.

      Go ahead and price those vehicles out and then price out the Escalade. The Escalade will wind up with significantly more features and technology. Shoot… the other vehicles I mentioned can’t even do remote start… which is standard on every Escalade. That’s just one example in what is likely a hundred features or more.

      Bottom line: the Escalade does, indeed, represent a competitive product with the right balance of style and price. Moving on…

      Regarding points 4 and 5:

      4. Drew – you continue to tout how much you know about the automotive industry and about Cadillac, as you did in a previous thread here… but in reality, any basic automotive industry pundit let alone a professional would know that the Yukon Denali and later the Escalade were both in response to the Lincoln Navigator. Hence, the Escalade copied another vehicle, thereby creating a new vehicle class (something else that you like to endlessly debate, though I’m not clear as to what end).

      The point that you are missing about the Escalade is that it has been around LONGER THAN ANY OTHER CADILLAC NAMEPLATE. Its success is not so much due to the substance of the product as much as it is the result of having a relatively decent (far from not the best) formula in this segment for a VERY LONG TIME.

      In much the same way, most models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi (among other successful luxury marques) have had pretty good (decent, good or great) products in the market for decades. And they are successful because of 1) product substance and 2) a considerable amount of market “burn in” that results in a positive and well-known reputation (that a name facilitates).

      The point is that if Cadillac delivers good, great, or superb products with CT# and XT# models that compete in the luxury segments that the ATS, CTS, CT6, etc. compete in today, and then continually improves these products, markets them, and nourishes them without any major mishaps (like death-related recalls that can destroy a brand or a product) – and it does so FOR YEARS WITHOUT FAULT, then it too will be successful with the models you continue to erroneously refer to as “copies” of the German offerings.

      5. The Escalade would still sell it it were called something else, be it Cadillac XT620, Cadillac Anthem or Cadillac Model GRSDPD4394450 for that matter. The name is not what sells this car. It works to complement them. This is automotive marketing 101.

      Reply
      1. Alex, I’ll just have to disagree with you that Cadillac just needs to make “good, great, or superb” products that fit into established segments, as the key to future success. To me a “brand” is something with a unique set of characteristics that no one else has. “Good, great, or superb” is also subjective, as cars that appeal to professional auto writers might not appeal to the general public.

        I’d love to know what you think stands out about JDN which will enable him to move Cadillac up rather than down as a brand, from where it is now. I simply see nothing creative or innovative about him. I’d also like to know which product values you think he’ll choose to focus on in the future. Clearly JDN is not interested in Cadillac’s prior core values, but what would he replace them with? All I can see is an attempt to clone the Germans, including styling from here on out. For some reason that offends you, so then tell me – without even the angular styling, what will make Cadillac stand out as a brand? What will be the core values under JDN?

        Reply
  3. November Motor Trend has an article opposite the back cover, The Escalade Dilemma. I enjoyed the read. Revenue from old school Escalade is necessary for new Cadillac to develop the gonnado’s of the future.

    Seems old school Caddy is still relevant in the land or reality.

    Reply
  4. Part of the reason for such high sales could also be attributed to the image this car projects. Everybody wants an Escalade, everybody knows of the Escalade, and this is the definition of ‘MERICA.

    But, I also have to say that this is the only “true” Cadillac left, its a big vehicle, with a big engine, loads of tech. and you know you’ve made it when you can afford one. The only thing un-Cadillac-like about the Escalade is the ride, which in today’s market, I’m sad to say is considered one of the more comfortable ones.

    Reply
    1. Henry,

      I was driving outside my regular route today. I saw quite a few Escalades. They looked pretty nice. When I saw the first one years ago I thought it was an abomination. Clearly I was wrong. I’m not an SUV person.

      Next time I visit my dealer I may take another look at Escalade. It may be my last shot at old school Cadillac, column shifter and all.

      I don’t know if I would be comfortable driving such a large vehicle. I was always very much at home in a long wheelbase car. No problem there. The Escalade looks so high or maybe my diminutive CTS is too low. If my car is parked on a grade I almost fall out of it. Got to adjust the easy exit for that one.

      Yeah, I may as well try on an Escalade for old times sake. Maybe I’ll go this week.

      Reply
      1. Susan, While I may not have much experience with an Escalade other than a brief ride in a 2016 MY, I do often drive my dads 2016 Tahoe LTZ. I can tell you this:

        1. Even with the 20″ rims, the Tahoe still rides better than my moms old 2014 CTS with 18’s, I don’t remember the wheel size on the Escalade, but the ride was still quieter and (not much) smoother.

        2. Driving such a large vehicle is not that much harder, especially with all of the sensors and lane keeping features. My only grief with the Tahoe is the small mirrors, but they are larger on the Escalade so…

        3. The Tahoe does great in the snow, even in 2WD, this year I only needed to use the AWD feature once trying to get up the driveway (about 10 degrees, with about 4in. of snow).

        4. The only drawback I could think of with the Escalade would be MPG, the 5.3 in the the Tahoe, exceeds the hwy MPG #s by about 3 MPG, but it really drinks fuel in the city. If money is no object, I would highly recommend the ESV, trust me the extra 5 gallons, and rear cargo capacity really does make a difference, and is worth the extra $.

        Reply
        1. Henry,

          Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I’ll take a look when I visit the dealer. My car has 17″ wheels. The ride is not very good. I think it’s the RFT or at least they contribute. The car is dreadful in snow. I hope winter tires help this season.

          Thanks again!

          Reply
          1. Susan, I hope winter tires help – but IMO no Cadillac owner should have to get special winter tires and change them twice per year with the summer tires. Part of “luxury” means low maintenance.

            I realize that there’s a 15% who think it is “worth it” to have a car that performs poorly in snow, just for the sake of some alleged “fun” on dry pavement. I don’t understand however why Cadillac is giving up on their traditional, loyal, and larger segment, in order to please a disloyal smaller one. I wonder if JDN changes his winter/summer tires himself. Ha ha.

            Reply
            1. Drew,

              I feel as you do regarding changing tires twice a year. I don’t have summer tires. They are RFT. The car is abysmal in snow. I only drove it once last winter in a light dusting. Brake skid was frightening. I went to a parking lot to try it there. Very poor traction in the parking lot. Other drivers were not sliding around as I was.

              People walking with assistive devices didn’t appear to have any problem in the parking lot. I walked the lot. It wasn’t slippery that I noticed.

              The first year I owned the car I gave myself pep talks trying to like the car. Now my chatter is you paid for it fool, your gonna drive it.

              I made a mistake. Should have made a date to talk to Carl (my personal mechanic) after he cautioned me not to buy another Cadillac. Carl actually delivered the car after the selling dealer was worthless once I left the business office.

              The owners manual advises winter tires and cautions not to drive on untreated roads. Seems GM knows the cars have issues in snow.

              In all my years of driving Cadillacs I never imagined they could goof them up like this. Amazing.

              Reply

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