Cadillac Escalade sales decreased in the United States and in South Korea, while decreasing in Mexico in the first quarter of 2019.
Cadillac Escalade Sales Results – United States – Q1 2019
In the United States, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 6,819 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of 16 percent compared to 8,111 units sold in Q1 2018.
GM no longer breaks out Cadillac Escalade sales performance by body style. As a result, our reporting shows Escalade ESV sales decreasing 100 percent and “regular” Escalade sales increasing 35.4 percent in Q1 2019 – which is not actually the case. Instead, GM now bundles Escalade ESV sales into the Escalade line, causing a discrepancy in the sales figures.
Sales Numbers - Cadillac Escalade - Q1 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESCALADE | +35.43% | 6,819 | 5,035 |
| ESCALADE ESV | -100.00% | 0 | 3,076 |
| TOTAL | -15.93% | 6,819 | 8,111 |
Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q1 2019 - Canada
In Canada, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 321 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 5 percent compared to 337 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESCALADE | -4.75% | 321 | 337 |
Chevrolet Blazer Sales - Q1 2019 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Blazer deliveries totaled 92 units in Q1 2019.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLAZER | * | 92 | * |
Cadillac exclusively markets the regular-length Escalade in South Korea, and does not sell the extended-length Escalade ESV in that market. As such, all sales figures for the market represent regular-length Escalade sales.
Competitive Sales Comparison
At first glance, the 36 percent increase in Cadillac Escalade sales during the first quarter is all the more impressive considering the entire full-size luxury SUV segment saw a 4 percent decrease in sales volume. However, the figures don’t tell the whole story, since they compare sales of both Escalade and Escalade ESV models in Q1 2019 to solely those of Escalade sales in Q1 2018, which do not include Escalade ESV. This means cumulative Escalade sales actually decreased from 8,111 units in Q1 2018 to 6,819 units in Q1 2019, a decline of 16 percent.
Even so, the Escalade was still the best-selling model in its segment with a 37 percent market share. That bests the Infiniti QX80 in second place with 32 percent market share and the all-new, fourth-generation Lincoln Navigator (see Lincoln Navigator sales) in third place with 24 percent market share. Both the Infiniti and Lincoln saw sales increase 3 percent and 10 percent, respective. Lexus LX sales decreased 5 percent, giving it a 7 percent market share.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q1 2019 - USA
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 | Q1 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADILLAC ESCALADE | +35.43% | 6,819 | 5,035 | 37% |
| CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV | -100.00% | 0 | 3,076 | 0% |
| INFINITI QX80 | +3.39% | 5,789 | 5,599 | 32% |
| LINCOLN NAVIGATOR | +10.02% | 4,469 | 4,062 | 24% |
| LEXUS LX | -4.93% | 1,214 | 1,277 | 7% |
| TOTAL | -3.98% | 18,291 | 19,049 |
As previously stated, the full-size luxury SUV segment contracted 4 percent in Q1 2019.
Below, we’ve included sales figures for full-size luxury crossovers for reference. Though they differ mechanically from “true” body-on-frame SUVs by having a unibody construction, they are typically cross-shopped and considered as alternatives to the full-size SUVs. Currently, the only luxury automaker with a full-size crossover is Mercedes-Benz with the GLS-Class, though BMW will soon launch the X7 and Audi is rumored to follow suit with a future Q9.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q1 2019 - USA
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLS-CLASS | +9.48% | 6,017 | 5,496 |
| X7 | * | 2,186 | * |
| TOTAL | +49.25% | 8,203 | 5,496 |
The GM Authority Take
Despite Escalade outselling its direct rivals, all is not rosy. Cumulative Cadillac Escalade sales volume slipped much faster than the segment average during the quarter, as the Infiniti QX80 and Lincoln Navigator sales increased. Clearly, sales of both rivals are growing at the expense of the Escalade.
This turn of events should not be taken lightly, as the Escalade is vital to the bottom line of Cadillac and General Motors. In fact, Escalade is believed to be GM’s most profitable product line. The same is the case for its direct rivals at Nissan/Infiniti and Ford/Lincoln. Further emphasizing this is the fact that the success of the new Lincoln Navigator prompted GM’s cross-town rival to increase production capacity of the all-new model.
But there’s no need to panic just yet: the Escalade is now the oldest model in its competitive set outside the Lexus LX, a factor that makes it less competitive compared to the all-new Lincoln Navigator or the refreshed Infiniti QX80. Given this turn of events, it is natural for sales to decrease. Outside of that, there is an all-new Escalade just around the corner. The completely-overhauled model is expected for the 2020 model year (see more on 2020 Cadillac Escalade). As such, we expect Escalade sales to rebound well past their current levels once the all-new model launches later this year.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Cadillac Escalade Q1 2018 sales
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
- South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
- Escalade and Escalade ESV model line break-outs contingent on data availability by market
Comments
General Motors cannot mess up their core competency for their full-size SUVs for the 2020 MY. The Cadillac Escalade, alongside the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon are some of GM’s finest products, but the full-size SUV offerings from Ford have proven to be increasing compelling and competitive products. GM needs to raise the bar in every regard to remain top dog in their most important market. This year is going to be an extremely important one for GM’s new family sport utes. Any predictions on when they’ll debut this year?
Let’s hope they are up to the task . But I am still a little bothered by thing like the late decision to go with IRS. This is something that should have happened years ago. If they hesitated on this in the planning stage of the new vehicle-makes you wonder what else the might hesitate on.
Definitely not on 7.18.19, thats for sure!
Technically Escalade sales are down far greater than it looks, I think everyone can pick up on that. Question is when are they going to show off the 5th gen? I thought they were going to do it after the XT6 for sure. Maybe they will show it off with the CT4 like they did last year with the XT4 and CT6/CT6-V.
I still like the Escalade even with it being so old and needing the new model ASAP. But there is no doubt that the new Navigator is taking a bite out of the Escalade’s sales. And it should as it’s one very nice vehicle.
Cadillac must NOT mess up the new Escalade, and that includes keeping the Escalade name. If they decide to change the name to XT8 or some stupid thing, then we will know for certain that the people running GM/Cadillac are idiots.
Any word on the new SUVs being shown at the NYC auto show?
There are plenty of them… but the Escalade wasn’t one of them.
I have two words for you………….Lincoln Navigator. The Lincoln line-up of SUV’s is better styled, and offers more engine choices than the Cadillac line-up……and I hate Lincoln.
@John Engelman:
I was thinking that I agreed with most what you were saying till I got to the part of “and I hate Lincoln”. Personally, I don’t really hate any brand. There are certain brands I won’t ever buy and there are some in which I prefer over others. But hate is a very strong word.
What brand is it that you actually like?
Cadillac’s Escalade needs some excitement and this can be done with a Blackwing edition meaning the 2020 Escalade would be equipped with the 550 hp twin-turbo DOHC-4v V8.
omegatalon:
That would be a really great idea IMO. It wouldn’t be for me personally, but I bet a Blackwing Escalade done properly would sell like hot cakes! Can you say money machine?
Thanks Alex, I think it was pretty obovious I was referring to the GM full size SUVs.
In the Motor Trend issue, it stated that the 5th. generation Escalade’s interior is getting full effort with high style and high tech. Other people on blogs and forums, elsewhere, had been saying this as well. I’m sure some of you on here had read the MT “Insider Confidential” in the latest issue.
The interior of the ’20 GLS is beautiful and gorgeous. Does anyone who actually seen the interior of the 5th. generation Escalade knows that the interior equally match the GLS, if not, outclasses it? IMO, the interior of the Navigator is nice but Mercedes went a step further with the GLS, IMO.
Everybody is talking about the Navigator but the refreshed Infiniti QX80 is outselling the Navigator and nipping at the heels of the Escalade. The QX80 was barely refreshed- really just a new front/rear end and is the same model that was introduced in 2012.