GMC Acadia sales decreased in the United States, Canada and Mexico during the fourth quarter of 2018.
GMC Acadia Sales - Q4 2018 - United States
In the United States, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 25,128 units in Q4 2018, a decrease of about 12 percent compared to 28,498 units sold in Q4 2017.During the complete 2018 calendar year, Acadia sales decreased about 21 percent to 88,621 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2018 / Q4 2017 | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 | YTD 2018 | YTD 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA | -11.83% | 25,128 | 28,498 | -20.68% | 88,621 | 111,726 |
GMC Acadia Sales - Q4 2018 - Canada
In Canada, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 1,056 units in Q4 2018, a decrease of about 33 percent compared to 1,572 units sold in Q4 2017.During the complete 2018 calendar year, Acadia sales decreased about 4 percent to 5,139 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2018 / Q4 2017 | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 | YTD 2018 | YTD 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA | -32.85% | 1,056 | 1,572 | -4.48% | 5,139 | 5,380 |
GMC Acadia Sales - Q4 2018 - Mexico
In Mexico, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 343 units in Q4 2018, an increase of about 8 percent compared to 318 units sold in Q4 2017.During the complete 2018 calendar year, Acadia sales decreased about 17 percent to 1,361 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2018 / Q4 2017 | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 | YTD 2018 | YTD 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA | +7.86% | 343 | 318 | -17.42% | 1,361 | 1,648 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
GMC Acadia sales performance places the crossover in 8th place in its competitive set in terms of overall Q2 2018 sales volume out of 17 competitors. The model was outsold by a significant margin by its primary rivals, the Jeep Grand Cherokee (see Jeep Grand Cherokee sales), Ford Explorer (see Ford Explorer sales), Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, as well as its corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Traverse, which shares a larger version of the Acadia’s C1 vehicle architecture (see Chevy Traverse sales), Ford Edge (see Ford Edge sales) and the Hyundai Santa-Fe.
The Acadia outsold all other segment contenders, including the Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano, the all-new Subaru Ascent, Nissan Pathfinder, Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales), Dodge Durango (see Dodge Durango sales), Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales), and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Chevrolet Blazer recorded 27 deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2018, since it was only available for a few days prior to the close of the quarter.
Sales Numbers - Midsize & Full-Size Mainstream Crossovers - Q4 2018 - United States
| MODEL | Q4 18 / Q4 17 | Q4 18 | Q4 17 | YTD 18 / YTD 17 | YTD 18 | YTD 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRAND CHEROKEE | -2.01% | 58,255 | 59,451 | -6.56% | 224,908 | 240,696 |
| EXPLORER | -11.74% | 56,316 | 63,809 | -4.34% | 227,732 | 238,056 |
| HIGHLANDER | +10.83% | 63,812 | 57,579 | +13.32% | 244,511 | 215,775 |
| PILOT | -7.80% | 39,714 | 43,076 | +25.41% | 159,615 | 127,279 |
| TRAVERSE | +14.13% | 39,536 | 34,642 | +18.65% | 146,534 | 123,506 |
| EDGE | -7.11% | 35,184 | 37,876 | -5.95% | 134,122 | 142,603 |
| SANTA FE | -25.18% | 28,069 | 37,516 | -12.11% | 117,038 | 133,171 |
| ACADIA | -11.83% | 25,128 | 28,498 | -20.68% | 88,621 | 111,726 |
| SORENTO | -0.97% | 22,154 | 22,371 | +8.19% | 107,846 | 99,684 |
| MURANO | -14.70% | 20,322 | 23,825 | +8.88% | 83,547 | 76,732 |
| ASCENT | * | 19,631 | * | * | 36,211 | 0 |
| PATHFINDER | -10.07% | 17,398 | 19,346 | -16.67% | 67,550 | 81,065 |
| ATLAS | +12.00% | 16,675 | 14,888 | +120.06% | 59,677 | 27,119 |
| DURANGO | +2.03% | 16,406 | 16,080 | -4.09% | 65,947 | 68,761 |
| CX-9 | -8.69% | 7,073 | 7,746 | +9.40% | 28,257 | 25,828 |
| OUTLANDER | -25.26% | 6,842 | 9,155 | +6.63% | 37,652 | 35,310 |
| BLAZER | * | 27 | * | * | 27 | 0 |
| TOTAL | -0.70% | 472,542 | 475,858 | +4.72% | 1,829,795 | 1,747,311 |
The mainstream mid- and full-size crossover segments, comprised of CUVs with a starting price in the vicinity of $30,000, saw sales decrease 1 percent in Q4 2018 and increase nearly 5 percent during the complete 2018 calendar year.
The GM Authority Take
The ongoing slide in GMC Acadia sales continued in the fourth quarter of 2018, as the midsize crossover saw one of the biggest drops in sales volume in its segment. In fact, Acadia sales fell much faster than the segment average for the quarter (12 percent drop for Acadia vs. 1 percent drop for the segment), and even faster still for the 2018 calendar year (20 percent drop for Acadia vs. 5 percent boost for the segment).
The rather steep decline in Acadia deliveries is highly concerning, especially as it relates to the segment’s overall sales growth. In other words, not only are Acadia sales not keeping step with their segment, but they’re actually falling behind.
We attribute the ongoing drop in Acadia sales volume to the following potential factors:
- A relatively new and attractive product that’s suffering from packaging issues that make it less-than-competitive when ti comes to price and features. Some examples:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Pilot offer a V6 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission (Jeep) or 9-speed transmission (Honda) at roughly the same starting price as the Acadia, which offers a significantly less powerful 2.5L I4 engine and a less advanced 6-speed automatic transmission
- The Volkswagen Atlas and Mazda CX-9 offer significantly more cabin refinement compared to the Acadia, even in range-topping Acadia Denali trimmings
- A refreshed, 2020 GMC Acadia is on the way with various noteworthy updates. However, they do not seem to address these core issues for entry-level models.
- First-generation Acadia owners with a preference for a model the size of that first-gen version are switching to a larger vehicle, such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, etc.
As car buyers continue to switch from sedans to crossovers, ever-decreasing GMC Acadia sales represent a not-insignificant disappointment as well as a wasted business opportunity. It’s unclear what, if anything, General Motors and GMC are planning to do to change this turn of events. We don’t have much confidence in the 2020 Acadia refresh helping to turn around the negative sales trend. What’s more, things will only get worse as both Kia and Hyundai introduce two all-new, full-size CUVs with three rows of seating.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to GMC Acadia Q4 2017 sales, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q4 2018 and 76 selling days in Q4 2017
About GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is the largest GMC crossover currently offered, slotting above the compact GMC Terrain.
The current model was introduced for the 2017 model year and represents the second generation of the Acadia nameplate. It rides on the GM C1 platform shared with the Cadillac XT5. It is expected that the upcoming, future Chevrolet Blazer will ride on the same platform. Meanwhile, the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave use a longer-wheelbase variant of the same architecture.
Compared to its first-generation predecessor, the second-gen Acadia is an all-new vehicle that is one size segment smaller, while also being sleeker, more modern, more tech-laden and much lighter. Despite its smaller size, the second-gen Acadia manages to retain three rows of seating and generous cargo space.
For the 2018 model year, the Acadia got a new color, automatic heated steering wheel in place of the manual heated steering wheel, Tire Fill Alert, some new wheels on the SLT-1 All Terrain model, as well as broader availability of the 3.6L V-6 engine and All-Terrain package.
For the 2019 model year, the Acadia receives several new colors, Express Up and Down window controls for the driver's-side controls as standard on the SLE-2 and SLT-1 trims, the expanded availability of the Ebony interior color with the All-Terrain package on the SLT trim level and the introduction of the Acadia Black Edition.
The Acadia Black Edition was introduced for the 2019 model year
A midcycle refresh arrives for the 2020 model year that delivers updated styling, the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission, a new turbo-charged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine, a new AT4 model that replaces the Acadia All Terrain, interior updates, and various other improvements.
The GMC Acadia is built exclusively at the GM Spring Hill factory in Tennessee operated by GM USA.
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- GMC Acadia information
- Running GM sales results
- Running GMC sales results
- Running GMC Acadia sales results
- Running GMC sales results
Comments
The 2.5 is trash and GM knows it. They offer the 2.5 so people will spend more for the 6 vs giving solid value for the money. GM is losing even in the SUV/CUV wars… their strategy is short term profits to boost stock prices (and the stock just dropped after a few good weeks) vs giving customers the best products for a solid value, increasing market share and conquesting the competition. Unless GM changes senior mgt I predict they’ll either be taken over by someone else or be back in bankruptcy again in the next 10 years. This performance for this product is pathetic… and someone should be fired. But GM will state some “factoid” to explain away the fact that they’re simply losing ground due to bad decisions and packaging.
I will change my sierra for the new AT4 Acadia
I own a 2011 Acadia Denali and we love it. We want to get a new(er) version, but damn. GM made a huge mistake in shrinking the Acadia. I have a family of 5, and putting a family of 5 in a new model Acadia is fine around town, but if I want to take a road trip, there’s little to no room for luggage. So I’m left with looking at a 2016 Acadia Denali. I’m not surprised at these results at all. The new Acadia is a fine looking vehicle, but it needs to be bigger than an Explorer and it’s not. And I don’t want a fullsize Yukon.
Well I on an Acadia Denali 2017 and we bought it because they down sized it from the over sized Mini Van it was.
We had a Terrain and they down sized it and we wanted to stay a similar size with a V6. The wife loves it over her Terrain. To her it is right sized for her.
The one thing I think many miss on the new Acadia is how well it drives and handles. I was shocked how much it is like a touring sedan then the SUV it looks like.
In sport mode the steering tightens up, the suspension firms up where it is needed actively and the throttle and transmission get more aggressive.
It is a great drive and ride.
The only change we would like is the third seat to be made a delete option as we never use it.
If I were in the market now I would wait for the new one just for the HUD on the new model.
This model sold a ton of models in the first two years in a very competitive segment. The competition only got worse not only from outside GM but from with in with so many variations of this platform.
We just looked at the new Explorer and the new Blazer but neither offered anything we did not already have or we wish we needed.
upgrade to a larger size
I would love to buy a 2020 Acadia AT4 that was the same size as the Enclave. GM made a huge mistake when they downsized it. The 2020 AT4 is tough looking.