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Cadillac Escalade Sales Decrease 2 Percent In Q2 2019

Cadillac Escalade sales decreased in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and increased in South Korea during the second quarter of 2019.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q2 2019 - United States

In the United States, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 9,432 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 2 percent compared to 9,655 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 9 percent to 16,251 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ESCALADE -2.31% 9,432 9,655 -8.53% 16,251 17,766

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q2 2019 - Canada

In Canada, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 420 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 24 percent compared to 551 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 17 percent to 741 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ESCALADE -23.77% 420 551 -16.55% 741 888

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q2 2019 - Mexico

In Mexico, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 101 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 43 percent compared to 176 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 37 percent to 182 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ESCALADE -42.61% 101 176 -37.02% 182 289

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q2 2019 - South Korea

In South Korea, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 79 units in Q2 2019, an increase of about 32 percent compared to 60 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Escalade sales increased about 22 percent to 140 units. 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.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ESCALADE +31.67% 79 60 +21.74% 140 115

2019 Cadillac Escalade Sport - Exterior - Los Angeles Auto Show - November 2018 004 - Rear Three Quarters

Competitive Sales Comparison

The decline in Cadillac Escalade sales during the second quarter comes on the heels of a sound performance in the first quarter. That said, the Escalade was still the best-selling model in its segment with a dominant 48 percent segment share. That bests the Infiniti QX80 in second place with 24 percent segment share, and the all-new, fourth-generation Lincoln Navigator (see Lincoln Navigator sales) in third place with 22 percent segment share. The Infiniti saw sales increase an impressive 44 percent. Meanwhile, Lincoln Navigator sales decreased 13 percent. Lexus LX sales decreased 5 percent, giving it a 7 percent segment share – the lowest in its competitive set.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q2 2019 - USA

MODEL Q2 19 / Q2 18 Q2 19 Q2 18 Q2 19 SHARE Q2 18 SHARE YTD 19 / YTD 18 YTD 19 YTD 18
CADILLAC ESCALADE -2.31% 9,432 9,655 48% 50% -8.53% 16,251 17,766
INFINITI QX80 +44.24% 4,822 3,343 24% 17% +18.66% 10,611 8,942
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR -13.18% 4,387 5,053 22% 26% -2.84% 8,856 9,115
LEXUS LX -16.09% 1,095 1,305 6% 7% -10.57% 2,309 2,582
TOTAL +1.96% 19,736 19,356 -0.98% 38,027 38,405

Altogether, the full-size luxury SUV segment expanded 2 percent in Q2 2019.

Below, we’ve included sales figures for full-size luxury crossovers for the sake of reference. Though they differ mechanically from the body-on-frame SUVs above by having a unibody construction, they are typically cross-shopped and considered as alternatives to the full-size body-on-frame SUVs. Currently, the only full-size luxury crossovers are the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and the new BMW  X7, though Audi is rumored to follow suit with a future Q9.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q2 2019 - USA

MODEL Q2 19 / Q2 18 Q2 19 Q2 18 YTD 19 / YTD 18 YTD 19 YTD 18
GLS-CLASS -17.75% 3,868 4,703 -3.08% 9,885 10,199
X7 * 6,628 * * 8,814 0
TOTAL +123.18% 10,496 4,703 +83.34% 18,699 10,199

2019 Cadillac Escalade Sport - Exterior - Los Angeles Auto Show - November 2018 001 - Front Three Quarters

The GM Authority Take

Though the Escalade outsold its direct rivals, all is not great for the full-size luxury SUV. Cumulative Cadillac Escalade sales volume were down during the quarter while the segment average was up, and as Infiniti QX80 sales increased significantly. Clearly, sales of the QX80 are growing at the expense of the Escalade, as Escalade segment share dipped two percentage points while QX80 share grew 7 percentage points.

This turn of events should not be taken lightly, as the Escalade is vital to the financial performance and health 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.

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 attractive 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 was previously expected for the 2020 model year, but will now arrive for 2021. 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 Q2 2018 sales
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q2 2019 and 77 selling days in Q2 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
General Motors Q2 2019 sales numbers:
[nggallery id=664] [nggallery id=758]

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Comments

  1. I guess we don’t need to worry too much about the Navigator. I’m surprised that sales are already declining.

    Obviously customers are waiting for the next generation Escalade. The QX80 has been well received and had good promotion. Also, really impressive numbers for the X7.

    Reply
    1. “I guess we don’t need to worry too much about the Navigator. I’m surprised that sales are already declining.”

      Exactly. I just looked at sales numbers for the Navigator and am very surprised that the much older Escalade still dominates in sales. By almost double!

      Reply
      1. Because of Fleets, the Ford Motor Company has reduced fleet sales to become more profitable within residual sales. Ford actually profiting, while GM is losing about $10k per Escalade. The XTS only outside the Continental based on its fragmentations of models of fleets: livery, funeral, and limousines.

        Reply
        1. The Escalade is one of GM’s most profitable vehicles, if not the most profitable. So no, they are not loosing $10k per vehicle.

          Reply
        2. Huh? Where do you get your information? Please provide us with a link to your source.

          Reply
  2. A little long in the tooth. As prices grow higher and design are not modernized. The market shrinks. This segment SUV & CUV are also starting to become saturated. It is only going to get worse and the competition is also growing rapidly. Germany, Japan, Ford, and soon the competition from Korea with be driving even more competition. Cadillac has lost what it once had. The concept of being the Standard for the rest of the World to follow.

    Reply

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