mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Chevrolet Impala Sales Increase 66 Percent To 9,452 Units In August 2017

Chevrolet Impala sales increased in the United States and in Canada in August 2017.

Chevrolet Impala Sales - August 2017 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Impala deliveries totaled 9,452 units in August 2017, an increase of about 66 percent compared to 5,684 units sold in August 2016. Retail sales increased 63 percent.

In the first eight months of the year, Impala sales decreased about 35 percent to 43,796 units.
MODEL AUG 2017 / AUG 2016 AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2016YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016
IMPALA +66.29% 9,452 5,684 -34.75% 43,796 67,119

Chevrolet Impala Sales - August 2017 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Impala deliveries totaled 301 units in August 2017, an increase of about 2 percent compared to 295 units sold in August 2016.

In the first eight months of the year, Impala sales increased about 20 percent to 2,454 units.
MODEL AUG 2017 / AUG 2016 AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2016YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016
IMPALA +2.03% 301 295 +19.82% 2,454 2,048

The GM Authority Take

It would appear that consumers are embracing the tenth-generation Chevy Impala after the vehicle posted its lowest sales in at least a decade in August of 2016.

The performance places the Impala in second place in its segment in terms of overall sales volume in August, behind the Charger by 117 units. Notably, Dodge Charger sales increased 11.13 percent to 9,569 units during the month.

The Impala was followed by the Chrysler 300 (down 23 percent to 4,074 units), Toyota Avalon (down 30 percent to 2,871 units), Ford Taurus (down 14 percent to 2,179 units), Kia Cadenza (up 80 percent to 491 units) and Hyundai Azera (down 12 percent to 349 units).

We attribute the Impala’s noteworthy August sales performance, which was driven by gains at the retail level, primarily to the following three factors:

  1. A competitive model that represents an attractive overall package, and
  2. Healthy incentives to move existing inventory units
  3. Low sales volume in August of 2016, resulting in impressive year-over-year percentage delta

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Mainstream Sedans - August 2017 - United States

MODEL AUG 17 / AUG 16 AUGUST 17 AUGUST 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
CHARGER +11.13% 9,569 8,611 -6.54% 58,148 62,214
IMPALA +66.29% 9,452 5,684 -34.75% 43,796 67,119
300 -22.90% 4,073 5,283 -8.15% 35,436 38,581
AVALON -30.25% 2,871 4,116 -27.96% 22,465 31,185
TAURUS -13.91% 2,179 2,531 -2.18% 23,924 24,456
CADENZA +80.51% 491 272 +9.10% 3,669 3,363
AZERA -12.31% 349 398 -29.26% 2,374 3,356
TOTAL +7.77% 28,984 26,895 -17.57% 189,812 230,274

The full-size mainstream sedan segment grew nearly 8 percent in August, with offerings from Chevrolet, Chrysler, and Kia seeing growth, while the rest of the rivals saw sales decrease. During the first eight months of 2017, segment sales decreased 17.57 percent to 189,812 units, with all offerings except the Kia Cadenza seeing a decrease in sales volume. In fact, Impala leads the year-to-date sales slump with a nearly 35 percent sales drop.

Sales Numbers - Nissan Maxima - August 2017 - United States

MODEL AUG 17 / AUG 16 AUGUST 17 AUGUST 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
MAXIMA -27.04% 4,424 6,064 -3.58% 41,273 42,807

We have included sales of the Nissan Maxima and Volkswagen CC in a separate chart for informational purposes. The vehicles are priced similar to those in the mainstream full-size segment, but are not full-size sedans. Instead, they are midsize sedans with a greater amount of premium content over the similarly-sized Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat, respectively.

About Chevrolet Impala

The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan. It is the biggest Chevrolet sedan currently offered, slotting above the subcompact Chevrolet Sonic, compact Chevrolet Cruze and midsize Chevrolet Malibu.

The current model was introduced for the 2014 model year and represents the tenth generation of the storied Impala nameplate. It rides on the GM Super Epsilon platform shared with the second-generation Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XTS.

Compared to its ninth-generation predecessor, the tenth-gen Impala is an all-new vehicle that is larger, sleeker and more modern. Chevrolet modified its strategy for the new model, as the ninth-gen model was sold to rental fleets in significant quantities, while the tenth-gen is primarily entended for purchase by consumers at the retail level. This condition alone has resulted in a strategic decrease in sales of the current model.

Going forward, it is unclear whether the Impala will live on to see a next, 11th generation, as comments by GM executives have left its future the vehicle’s future in limbo, mostly as a result of a change in consumer vehicle buying dynamics that is beginning to favor crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) at the expense of sedans.

The Chevrolet Impala is built at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck factory in Michigan operated by GM USA as well as the GM Oshawa factory in Ontario operated by GM Canada.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Impala 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.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Impala, Charger and 300 are all fantastic cars and a segment in which both GM and FCA would be nuts to quit.
    Malibu is great but will likely never break into the top three. GM benefits from having two entries–something Ford doesn’t necessarily need.

    Reply
  2. All the numbers are telling here that I am afraid this segment is not for long.

    Automakers do not like selling volume models like this in numbers this low. If the numbers remain weak many of 5bese cars will disappear.

    Sad

    Reply
    1. To be fair, the numbers for the Impala shown here are not that low. The margins on this product are very good, since it has the cost structure of a midsize car like the Malibu yet sells for thousands more… so they don’t need to do sky-high volume to make a profit. And let’s remember, this is not the fleet queen that the last gen was… so there’s that to take into consideration.

      That said, the segment is, in fact, down. Kia and Hyundai are dropping out… Ford might not renew the Taurus… leaving Chevy, Toyota, plus FCA with Dodge and Chrysler. I think those four could split up the remaining volume just fine. And as for GM, they can leverage a potential next generation Impala on the VSS-F really well… bringing costs to below Malibu levels.

      Reply
      1. I did not say the Impala I just said most listed here as other than the Chrysler most of these numbers are not good enough for most companies.

        From the Avalon down on the list it is not good.

        They can replace many of 5bese models with a CUV that would move well into the six figure range.

        The trouble the Impala faces is when the XTS is gone it will be alone at GM. Then the cost of replacing it becomes a problem as making the investment back will be a tough business case to prove.

        The Malibu is not exactly doing great but the next car could merge the Impala and Bu into one model due to low volumes. They both are just not making the money other models can do.

        Just making money is no longer enough. When it is time to choose the choose what will make more money. Right now cars are a tough sale.

        There could be a shift in the market but I don’t see it happening anytime soon.

        Reply
        1. Scott,
          You’re forgetting something here.

          The investment into large sedan has already been made in a form of the new Buick LaCrosse.

          As the current XTS and Impala share the Epsilon II platform. Next generation Impala will move onto the P2XX platform currently underpinning the LaCrosse. All GM has to do here is give it a “Chevy look”. Everything else is already here.

          Car sales are slowing down due to cheap gas and SUV craze, but they’re not terrible, as Alex has mentioned. Up to date there were 4.2 million cars sold vs. 4.7 million SUVs/CUVs. The balance has tipped over to SUVs over the year but there are still millions of car folks out there. What the slowdown will do is weed out the “weak”. Many very low volume cars will disappear. Some people will jump the ship to SUV some will buy a different car. We have record number of people out there riding an SUV for the first time in their life. With the years many people will realize that they don’t really need a 4×4 SUV and some will go back to a more efficient and cheaper car. All in all the sales between cars and SUVs will balance out and manufacturers will still have to invest in both.

          Big car maker like GM needs a car like Impala and Chevy can make it a success by making it special at low cost thanks to LaCrosse.

          Reply
          1. Greg here ithe flaw.

            The Lecrosse a great car no one wants. Sales of the Impala are declining. At the rate it is going both cars can find themselves in trouble. Buick’s ace is China but the Impala well there is no were to fallback.

            The balance has shifted. Even now if gas prices go up there are so many small CUV models it will not change much.

            The key today with smaller vehicles today is the utility. The cars have ample trunks but you can’t fit much in the opening.

            Many now know they don’t need AWD but they still want it.

            I have found even in my case that as good as my Malibu is my new Canyon is much more versital and gets just 3 less mpg than my crew 4×4 V6.

            The growing mid size truck segment like the Colorado and Ridgeline is drawing from the cars and CUV segment.

            There will be some cars but their numbers will dwindle.

            I expect the new class like a FNX-R totals the place of cars and some CUV models.

            People used to be all about image and style but today utility is the prime factor anymore. This is what has milled the coupe and is starting to kill the sedan.

            I see sedans in the up market segments surviving mostly due to higher prices that permit lower volumes.

            The Impala is safe as long as the remain over 100k units but the time is coming we’re that maybe tough to do.

            You need to look at the numbers the full size did. Just in 1972 a nothing special year the sold
            1,010,125 full size Chevys. This is not counting the Nova, Chevrolet and all the other cars they sold.

            I love the cars and do not wish their demise but the market has changed. The p2xx will buy some time but I expect it will just continue to get more difficult.

            Reply
      2. What is VSS-F?

        Reply
        1. Reply
  3. I like the Impala so much more than the Malibu. More muscular and sharp design with a V6. Too bad it doesn’t come with AWD

    Reply
  4. I too am totally in love with the current Impala. I have not driven in one but just love the way it looks, the presence it commands is a sight to behold. One of the best and bold designs to come out of GM, in my humble opinion.

    Alex, looking at the list of cars that the Chevy Impala competes with, I noticed that you showed both the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300. Can you, or should you, include the Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac XTS as well as they sit on the same platform as the Chevrolet Impala or am I wrong on that assumption? At least the Cadilla XTS though.

    Reply
    1. They do share the same platform but, being more premium offerings, don’t technically compete in the same segment as the Impala. More direct comparisons to the LaCrosse and XTS would be cars like the Acura RLX, Lincoln Continental, Lexus ES, etc.

      In terms of sales figures among platform mates, more than 43,000 Impala’s have been sold so far this year, while more than 14,000 LaCrosse’s and more than 9,000 XTS’s have been sold.

      Reply
    2. I have a 2015 2LT with the V6. Just about loaded without a few things the loaded LTZ has. I love the car. Plenty of highway power. My only negatives if you can call them negative are, lack of an AWD option, guess they are afraid to step on Buick’s toes, and the transmission. If they were to goto a next gen Impala I would want a transmission with the tour, sport and economy mode as well as an AWD option as well as upping the HP and Torque to get the 0-60 down a bit. I love the size of the car. It drives smooth and quiet while having plenty of highway power.

      Reply
  5. The Chevrolet Impala looks a bit on the boring side as it would be nice if the nose borrowed a bit from the Camaro and tried to some heritage cues of yesteryear.

    Reply
  6. Great! I love the Impala. Those sales figures are pretty darn good considering the ongoing “crossover craze”, a lack of any remotely substantial update to the model since its introduction, and the fact that GM really doesn’t do a whole lot of marketing for the Impala. I would say it’s actually doing just fine, and does indeed justify a mid-cycle refresh and next-generation model. GM would be foolish not to do it!

    Reply
  7. These crossover sales have got to stop. Not everyone wants a car that can pack 4 kids. I really want a Model like the BMW 3 series, to come out of GM. Give me tiers of packages to choose from. Give a technical variant of AWD as an option. There’s the 320i, then the 330i. They both look the same, save for a few external cues, but other than that, they’re both monsters.

    Reply
    1. Umm… Cadillac ATS?

      Reply
  8. Good to see the Impala in the black after quite a long hiatus! As many of us have been saying, GM’s crop of midsize and large sedans are the best they’ve ever been, but they’ve come at a bad time! While I’m confident the sedan market worldwide will remain in tact, I do fear the CUV/SUV-craze’s impact on certain individual markets! Especially ours, where we’re (very) slowly seeing things like the V8 and the large sedan phase out to CUV and SUV models with conventionally smaller powertrains!

    Reply
  9. Maybe the Impala could use a crossover platform and make a coupe like crossover with AWD

    Reply
  10. maybe and only maybe if gm would market the impala like their competitors do sales would increase —all people do not want suv’s

    Reply
    1. So true, zero marketing, zero commercials. Dodge has a general ad for their muscle car and it still barely beats the Impala

      Reply
  11. I’ve always been a fan of the current impalas styling.

    Reply
  12. The Impala is a great car and loaded with the latest tech that some of it’s competitors are missing . It’s got a great design that looks like nothing else on the road and keeping it away from fleet sales is a good decision .
    I can see GM holding on to the Impala for Chevy customers that don’t want an SUV . There seems to be a small trend showing up that the consumers with a two car family will buy the SUV for Mom to drive during the week back and forth to work and even taking the kids to activities after school while the other spouse only needs a car for work and during the weekend the family has the SUV for trips and other activities .
    And even in some forums you are seeing people that are starting to tire of SUV’s and are starting to look at cars again.
    Give the next gen Impala AWD and keep it away from the rental companies .

    Reply
  13. What are the sales results when comparing Impala vs Maxima? It doesn’t appear in the comparison above.

    Reply
    1. Joan – the Maxima is a midsize sedan that kind of competes with full-sizers but doesn’t do so directly. I’ve included the figures for it in a separate table below the primary comparison table.

      I’ll consider including it in subsequent comparisons, as it does compete with the full-size segment on price.

      Cheers!

      Alex

      Reply
  14. Would love to see a 2019 revamp with some exterior styling and interior revisions plus maybe an update to the new 9 speed transmission and an updated 3.6. It would also be nice to have a performance variant with the 3.0TT in the Midnight edition or an all out SS model. I sure hope Chevy’s best sedan isn’t canceled.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel