Chevrolet Traverse Sales Increase 41 Percent To 11,627 Units In January 2018

by Alex Luft
— Feb 7, 2018

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - January 2018 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 11,627 units in January 2018, an increase of about 41 percent compared to 8,218 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's best-ever January sales performance.

MODEL	JAN 2018 / JAN 2017	JANUARY 2018	JANUARY 2017
TRAVERSE	+41.48%	11,627	8,218

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - January 2018 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 406 units in January 2018, an increase of about 62 percent compared to 250 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's best-ever January sales performance.

MODEL	JAN 2018 / JAN 2017	JANUARY 2018	JANUARY 2017
TRAVERSE	+62.40%	406	250

The GM Authority Take

Chevy Traverse sales performance outpaced its segment in January two-fold, putting it in third place in its segment, behind the Ford Explorer (see Ford Explorer sales) and Toyota Highlander but ahead of the Honda Pilot (by 8 units), Hyundai Santa Fe, Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales), Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Durango (see Dodge Durango sales) and Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales).

We should note that sales figures for the Hyundai Santa Fe are somewhat misleading, since they include the “regular” Santa Fe three-row full-size model (which competes directly with the Traverse) and the Santa Fe Sport two-row midsize model, which is smaller and less expensive than the Traverse.

As in September, October and November and December of last year, we attribute the Traverse’s encouraging highly encouraging January sales performance to the following three factors:

An all-new, competitive model that represents an attractive overall package
Attractive incentives to move existing inventory units, especially those of the first-generation Traverse
A continuous change in consumers’ vehicle buying dynamics as car buyers continue to switching to crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from other vehicle types like sedans

Even so, the Traverse was not the fastest-growing vehicle in its segment. In fact, sales of two other models – the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9 – grew quicker than those of the Traverse. Growth of the Mazda is primarily caused by a highly attractive all-new model, while Honda managed to increase production output of the Pilot by dedicating more assembly resources to the Pilot.

Going forward, we expect Traverse sales to continue steady or to increase, depending on the current model’s performance in the marketplace, sales operations at the retail level, as well as the competitive landscape, which is highly crowded and will become even more competitive with the introduction of new entrants, including the upcoming Subaru Ascent three-row crossover.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Full-Size Crossovers - January 2018 - United States

MODEL	JAN 18 / JAN 17	JANUARY 18	JANUARY 17
EXPLORER	-1.89%	15,005	15,294
HIGHLANDER	+22.35%	15,484	12,656
TRAVERSE	+41.48%	11,627	8,218
PILOT	+61.82%	11,619	7,180
SANTA FE	-2.69%	7,677	7,889
PATHFINDER	-27.40%	5,286	7,281
DURANGO	+9.31%	5,145	4,707
ATLAS	*	4,303	*
CX-9	+46.83%	2,336	1,591
TOTAL	+21.08%	78,482	64,816

The mainstream full-size crossover segment grew 21 percent in January.

For informational and comparative purposes, we are also providing sales figures for various models that overlap with the Traverse’s segment:

GMC Acadia (see GMC Acadia sales), Kia Sorento, and Mitsubishi Outlander – which are midsize crossovers with three rows
Jeep Grand Cherokee (see Jeep Grand Cherokee sales), which has two rows of seating but is sold at a similar price point to the Traverse and therefore overlaps the full-size crossover segment
Ford Police Interceptor Utility (see Police Interceptor Utility sales), which is the police duty variant of the Ford Explorer and whose sales are not included in the Explorer line item

Sales Numbers - Overlapping Crossover Sales - January 2018 - United States

MODEL	JAN 18 / JAN 17	JANUARY 18	JANUARY 17
ACADIA	-16.35%	7,444	8,899
SORENTO	-0.91%	6,123	6,179
OUTLANDER	+78.91%	3,020	1,688
GRAND CHEROKEE	-5.42%	16,364	17,301
POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY	+26.66%	2,984	2,356

About Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse is a full-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is the biggest Chevrolet crossover currently offered, slotting above the subcompact Chevrolet Trax and compact Chevrolet Equinox. It will also slot above the much-rumored, future Chevrolet Blazer.

The current model was introduced for the 2018 model year and represents the second generation of the Traverse nameplate. It rides on the extended-length GM C1 platform shared with the second-generation Buick Enclave. A shorter variant of the same platform underpins the second-gen GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5.

Compared to its first-generation predecessor, the second-gen Traverse is an all-new vehicle that is larger, lighter, sleeker and more modern. It also introduces new trim levels, including High Country and RS – neither of which were present on the first-generation model.

The Chevrolet Traverse is built at the GM Delta Lansing Township factory in Michigan operated by GM USA. It is currently the only plant that builds the vehicle alongside the second-gen Buick Enclave.

About The Numbers

All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Traverse January 2017 sales
In the United States, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
In Canada, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
Hyundai Santa Fe figures include “regular” Santa Fe three-row model and Santa Fe Sport two-row variant, as the automaker does not break out the figures for the two models individually