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Chevrolet Sonic Sales Increase 16 Percent To 3,934 Units In March 2017

Chevrolet Sonic sales increased in the United States while decreasing in Canada and South Korea in March 2018.

Chevrolet Sonic Sales - March 2018 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 3,934 units in March 2018, an increase of about 16 percent compared to 3,385 units sold in March 2017.

In the first three months of the year, Sonic sales decreased about 21 percent to 5,983 units.
MODEL MAR 2018 / MAR 2017 MARCH 2018 MARCH 2017YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017
SONIC +16.22% 3,934 3,385 -21.48% 5,983 7,620

Chevrolet Sonic Sales - March 2018 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 359 units in March 2018, a decrease of about 7 percent compared to 388 units sold in March 2017. The results represent the Sonic's lowest March sales results since at least 2014.

In the first three months of the year, Sonic sales increased about 9 percent to 981 units.
MODEL MAR 2018 / MAR 2017 MARCH 2018 MARCH 2017YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017
SONIC -7.47% 359 388 +9.24% 981 898

Chevrolet Aveo Sales - March 2018 - South Korea

In South Korea, Chevrolet Aveo deliveries totaled 36 units in March 2018, a decrease of about 83 percent compared to 214 units sold in March 2017. The Sonic is sold in South Korea as the Aveo.

In the first three months of the year, Aveo sales decreased about 54 percent to 234 units.
MODEL MAR 2018 / MAR 2017 MARCH 2018 MARCH 2017YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017
AVEO -83.18% 36 214 -54.03% 234 509

2017 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback exterior - 2016 New York International Auto Show Live 011

The GM Authority Take

Sonic sales shot up in March, a circumstance that changes a 16-month-long sales slide for the subcompact vehicle family. The March sales performance puts the model in fourth place out of eight by sales volume, behind the Nissan Versa in first, Ford Fiesta in second (see Ford Fiesta sales) and the Honda Fit in third. The Chevy outsold the Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio. It’s worth noting that the Sonic was one of only two models in the segment to post a sales increase, with the other being the Kia Rio.

We attribute the Sonic’s positive March sales performance to increased incentives and fleet sales. Even so, sales are down 21 percent in the first three months of 2018, a circumstance we attribute to any combination of the following factors:

  1. A strong launch for the new Kia Rio, which is highly competitive product in the space
  2. A lack of marketing support by GM/Chevrolet for what is still a rather new nameplate in the segment
  3. A lack of dealer motivation from GM to move the current model
  4. GM’s strategy to decrease sales to daily rental fleets, which was a rather heathy sales channel for Sonic volume
  5. A good product that appears to have lost its competitive edge with the 2017 facelift; prior to the update, the Sonic enjoyed a unique position in its segment due to its unique headlamps and character
  6. A contracting subcompact passenger cars segment as a result of growing crossover (CUV/SUV) sales

The mainstream subcompact car segment contracted 12.5 percent in March and 20 percent in the first three months of 2018.

Sales Numbers - Subcompact Mainstream Cars - March 2017 - United States

MODEL MAR 18 / MAR 17 MARCH 18 MARCH 17 YTD 18 / YTD 17 YTD 18 YTD 17
VERSA -11.47% 10,921 12,336 -18.37% 25,365 31,075
FIESTA -9.55% 4,964 5,488 -5.72% 12,298 13,044
FIT -10.67% 4,520 5,060 -5.13% 11,291 11,902
SONIC +16.22% 3,934 3,385 -21.48% 5,983 7,620
MIRAGE -6.56% 3,106 3,324 -25.94% 5,532 7,470
YARIS -43.92% 3,062 5,460 -36.82% 7,960 12,599
ACCENT -33.11% 2,909 4,349 -49.75% 7,418 14,763
RIO +72.31% 2,147 1,246 +63.57% 5,025 3,072
TOTAL -12.51% 35,563 40,648 -20.36% 80,872 101,545

2017 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback exterior - 2016 New York International Auto Show Live 003

About Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic is a subcompact family of vehicles that include a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. Having replaced the Aveo in the Chevrolet lineup, the Sonic is currently Chevrolet’s second-smallest car, slotting above the Chevrolet Spark city car but below the compact Chevrolet Cruze, midsize Chevrolet Malibu and full-size Chevrolet Impala.

The current model was introduced for the 2012 model year and represents the first generation of the Sonic nameplate. The model rides on the GM Gamma platform shared with the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore.

The 2018 Chevy Sonic represents the sixth model year of the first-generation Sonic. The model was given a midcycle refresh for the 2017 model year. The vehicle remains highly competitive in its segment and the 2018 model year brings a handful of changes, including a new exterior color, a change to the Sun and Sound Package, and the standardization of the seven-inch diagonal color touchscreen.

In March 2017, a new rumor stated that GM would discontinue the Sonic as soon as 2018. It’s unclear whether or not the nameplate will see a follow-up with a second generation.

For the U.S. and Canadian markets, the 2018 Chevy Sonic sedan and hatchback are assembled by GM U.S.A. at the GM Lake Orion plant in Orion Township, Michigan, USA.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Sonic March 2017 sales
  • In the United States, there were 28 selling days in March 2018 and 27 selling days in March 2017
  • In Canada, there were 27 selling days in March 2017 and 27 selling days in March 2016

Related Sales Reporting

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

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Comment

  1. GM should design a gorgeous new Sonic to compete in this segment especially against the versa.

    Reply

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