Chevrolet Sonic sales decreased in the United States and Canada in the second quarter of 2019.
Chevrolet Sonic Sales - Q2 2019 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 4,024 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 12 percent compared to 4,582 units sold in Q2 2018.In the first six months of the year, Sonic sales decreased about 20 percent to 8,484 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 | Q2 2019 | Q2 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONIC | -12.18% | 4,024 | 4,582 | -19.70% | 8,484 | 10,565 |
Chevrolet Sonic Sales - Q2 2019 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 1 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 100 percent compared to 1,410 units sold in Q2 2018.In the first six months of the year, Sonic sales decreased about 99 percent to 13 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 | Q2 2019 | Q2 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONIC | -99.93% | 1 | 1,410 | -99.46% | 13 | 2,391 |
Chevrolet Sonic Sales - Q2 2019 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 4 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 98 percent compared to 161 units sold in Q2 2018.In the first six months of the year, Sonic sales decreased about 99 percent to 9 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 | Q2 2019 | Q2 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONIC | -97.52% | 4 | 161 | -98.88% | 9 | 805 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Chevrolet Sonic sales continued to slide during the second quarter of 2019, as they did throughout all of 2018. The second quarter performance places the subcompact model dead last in its competitive set in terms of overall sales volume. To compare, more than five times as many units of the Nissan Versa were sold in the same timeframe, putting the Versa in first place in the segment by a wide margin. The Versa was followed by the now-discontinued Ford Fiesta (see Ford Fiesta sales), Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Kia Rio.
As the sales charts note, Sonic sales significantly underperformed the segment average during the quarter, though its decline was not as significant as those of the Honda Fit, which decreased nearly 22 percent. The results give the Sonic a four percent segment share, while the segment-leading Nissan Versa held 26 percent of the space.
Sales Numbers - Subcompact Mainstream Cars - Q2 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q2 19 / Q2 18 | Q2 19 | Q2 18 | Q2 19 SHARE | Q2 18 SHARE | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN VERSA | +16.68% | 23,708 | 20,319 | 26% | 25% | +6.60% | 48,700 | 45,684 |
| FORD FIESTA | +69.76% | 22,173 | 13,061 | 24% | 16% | +50.31% | 38,116 | 25,359 |
| HONDA FIT | -21.82% | 10,768 | 13,773 | 12% | 17% | -31.55% | 17,156 | 25,064 |
| TOYOTA YARIS | +1.24% | 8,763 | 8,656 | 10% | 11% | +0.25% | 16,657 | 16,616 |
| HYUNDAI ACCENT | +9.69% | 8,125 | 7,407 | 9% | 9% | +0.55% | 14,906 | 14,825 |
| MITSUBISHI MIRAGE | -12.99% | 6,659 | 7,653 | 7% | 9% | -2.15% | 12,901 | 13,185 |
| KIA RIO | +9.20% | 6,602 | 6,046 | 7% | 7% | +12.42% | 12,446 | 11,071 |
| CHEVROLET SONIC | -12.18% | 4,024 | 4,582 | 4% | 6% | -19.70% | 8,484 | 10,565 |
| TOTAL | +11.44% | 90,822 | 81,497 | +4.31% | 169,366 | 162,369 |
The mainstream subcompact car segment expanded over 11 percent to 90,822 units in Q2 2019.
The GM Authority Take
We attribute the Sonic’s dreadful sales performance during the second quarter and during the first half of 2019 to GM/Chevy pretty much giving up on the subcompact passenger car. The Sonic is now one of the two oldest and, by association, least competitive products in its segment – especially compared to new rivals from Kia and Hyundai, both of which are making a concerted effort to market and sell their offerings despite a dwindling segment.
Exacerbating the ghastly state of affairs for the Sonic are the following factors:
- Non-existent marketing support by GM/Chevrolet for what is still a rather new nameplate in the segment; typically, a new nameplate needs significant amounts of marketing support to create buyer awareness and consideration.
- Lack of focus on the part of GM’s corporate sales operations to move the current model.
- GM’s ongoing strategy to decrease sales to daily rental fleets, which was a very healthy channel for Chevrolet Sonic sales.
- A contracting subcompact passenger car segment as a result of an ongoing market shift that favors crossovers (CUV/SUV) at the expense of passenger cars.
We don’t foresee Chevrolet Sonic sales changing direction any time soon, unless GM refocuses its attention on the space and introduces an all-new product. Notably, the Sonic launched to much fanfare and consumer interest as a highly-competitive model with a significant amount of ambition, excitement, and potential. Over the course of the current model’s lifecycle, all of those factors dwindled.
In addition, the product itself lost its competitive edge and many distinguishing characteristics as part of the 2017 facelift. Prior to the update, the Sonic enjoyed a unique and youthful position in its segment thanks to a one-of-a-kind persona afforded by a unique exterior design, with distinct headlamps, gauge cluster, and other features.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Sonic 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
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 Sonic was given a midcycle refresh for the 2017 model year. The 2018 Chevy Sonic represents the sixth model year of the first-generation Sonic. The vehicle remains fairly 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. For the 2019 model year, the Sonic gained one new exterior color (while losing two other colors), the removal of the base 1.8L naturally-aspirated Ecotec engine, and several other minor equipment-level changes. The Sonic is assembled at the following plants: A March 2017 rumor stated that GM would discontinue the Sonic as soon as 2018. As of this writing, it's unclear whether or not the nameplate will see a second generation. In November 2018, General Motors announced that it will discontinue the Chevrolet Cruze, along with five other passengers cars. Though the Sonic was not on that list, the model was discontinued in Canada. The move leaves the United States and South Korea as the only two markets where the model is currently available.
About Chevrolet Sonic
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Comments
No marketing support or advertising for Sonic= Lower sales
No marketing support or advertising for Cruze= Lower sales
No marketing support or advertising for Malibu= Lower sales
No marketing support or advertising for Impala= Lower sales
No marketing support or advertising for Camaro= Lower sales
You think that someone making $22 million a year would see a problem here.
One word needed – dated…
Gm went on the crossover binge all their passenger cars left to rot horrible cheap mce discontenting
I own a 2017 5 door. I really like it. It just a shame that GM/Chevy is walking away from it.
I have a 2012 sonic hatchback and unless its prior to the so called facelift I wouldnt buy another. The redesign of both the headlights and taillights took away the unique look of the car which for me is what caught my attention to begin with
Its a great daily and you’ll only grow to love it more. My Sonic, or Aveo as I call it, has been an absolutely fantastic car. It will never be the fastest thing on the road, but mine has been extremely reliable for over 120k miles now. Do you have a roof rack or tow hitch?
I don’t have a tow hitch, but I do tow it behind our motorhome. Mine is an RS with a 6 speed manual and push button start. The push button start is a key factor because I don’t have to worry about a steering wheel lock or leaving a key in the accessory position and possibly run down the battery. Shortly after buying it we took a 7 week 7000 mile RV trip out west and visited most of the major national parks. I did have the GM sport exhaust installed. I figured if I was going to make it my main run around driver, I may as well have fun while doing so.
Where there any other cars on the list for towing behind your RV? and I don’t think GM will totally walk away from the Sonic… I think the model might take a break for a year or two and comeback shortly after the release of the new Trailblazer. ?
I would love to take a picture of my old, single owner sonic with 200k miles on it next to a new one in 2022-23.
thanks for the literature, learned a little. Now I kind of want a base plate just because it looks totally badass. lol.
the head on my 2012 1.8L just took a dive and cracked at 134k miles so I am replacing the motor with one that has 30k miles
Do you have an estimated cost of that repair?
Unfortunately it is about the same cost ro replace the motor so that is what I am doing. Found a motor with about 30k miles for 1000 bucks and about another thousand for labor to put it in
Before everyone gets worked up how many Versas and Elantra I see on rental lots (tons of them). There’s a next Gen Sonic but hopefully it’s available in the US.
I like my 2016 RS hatch. But I would love it if it had more power. 138hp is bland to say the least. If mine had 180 or even 220hp, then YES, it would be a very fun car to drive. My 6spd trans. In 5th gear i feel at least 2 power bands when flooring it but nothing to get my heart pounding. Where’s the heartbeat of America in Chevy? Ya, I understand it’s no v8 Camaro or vette but that’s because I can not afford it but still, I have an RS, top of the line and all I get is 4.11gear ratio for quicker take offs and eats a little more gas. I’d buy a newer Sonic if it offered a more hp but the new look, it’s fugly.
They aren’t giving them to dealers. I know a guy *wink wink* that orders cars for a dealer. Tried to get sonic inventory to compensate for cruze loss, GM wont build them!!! Every week begging to get up to 20 aaaaaaand gets 1. GM is intentionally not building this car.
Sales follow inventory. Regardless of how shite a product is (not saying sonic is shite) if you price it right you can sell a lot provided you have the inventory.
I think the problem is that GM is building so many Bolts at Orion that they do not have any capacity to build Sonics.
Seriously though, this is just an example of GM’s piss poor management under Barra. The Sonic was cannibalized with GM decided to bring the Spark in from Korea.
The cars sucks, the worst most part fail before three years. Interior and exterior part are very cheap made plastic type materials. Performance is the worst, engine gets louder for no apparent reason. If anything Chevy needs to rethink or do better because they’re not representing.
My 2013 Sonic hatch mt 1.4t has been a fantastic car. The current lineup at GM does not offer any vehicles that currently fit my needs as a consumer. I will be extremely disappointing in GM if they don’t launch a competitive b/c segment hot hatch because I would really like to remain loyal to the brand.
I wanted to buy a GM for my wife’s new car, but we decided to get a Mazda CX-3 because at our price point of ≈$20k it best met our needs.
The current Regal Sportback is a nice FWD offering, but is kind of “bigger and softer” than I would like. The Trailblazer seems like an interesting project, especially if they put the 2.0t in it. However, If Chevy doesn’t offer a 200hp ≈$27K FWD hatch on the new vss-f platform by 2022 I will probably just buy a Japanese or German car.
Just put the 2.0t in a FWD in a big B or small C hatch (aka the Sonic) and put the SS badge on it, offer the new 1.3t as the base engine… please, I’m literally begging ?
I considered this car for 10 seconds, but for a tiny bit more, I bought a 19 Cruze.
Did you get the 1.6 turbo diesel?
The 1.4 turbo gas.
Congrats! I think that is actually a more powerful motor than the 1.4t found in the sonic? The turbo diesel is actually quite expensive and hard to find. The one closest to me was listed at well over $25k at the time.
GM dumped the Cruze and kept the Sonic. I truly wonder if Barra and her goons are running an inside job to bury GM. Oh well, the dozens upon dozens of uninspiring CUV’s that they’re releasing, seem to be grabbing people’s attention. Yea, right. 🙁
In February, the 3 years will have been up on my current work car (’17 Cruze RS). I suppose I will on the hunt for a leftover ’19 Cruze RS on a local lot. Get you heads outta your a**es, GM.
I sincerely hope no one is surprised by these declining numbers. It’s actually playing right into GM’s master plan. This is what happens when you publicly threaten to kill a car for three years. People shy away from it in fear of lack of factory support during it’s lifespan. They’re doing the same thing to the Malibu. A damn good car but they keep publicly threatening to kill it and even promised it would be dead by 2024. Who’s gonna enthusiastically buy a car destined to die? I own a 2013 Sonic LTZ sedan. I love my car but I’m in the market to replace it this year. I was gonna buy a new Malibu but why bother. GM clearly wants me to buy a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. It boggles my mind why they’re sabotaging themselves like this?