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What Is GM’s Plan For The Buick Encore And Encore GX?

General Motors plans to sell the new Buick Encore GX alongside the current, first-generation Buick Encore in the U.S. market, with the Encore GX slotting into the “white space” between the Encore and Envision.

That much we already knew, but what we don’t know is how GM plans to strategize sales of the Encore and Encore GX. The automaker is currently offering heavy discounts on the aging Encore, making us wonder if it plans to continue offering the subcompact crossover for a discount, while selling the newer, more up-to-date Encore GX for full price. This would give Buick a two-pronged small crossover approach, with buyers having the option of a cheaper budget-friendly model or a slightly larger, more content-rich and more expensive model.

No matter what GM’s plan is, it’s quite easy to see why the automaker is hesitant to kill the crossover off. Encore sales are up half a percentage point through the first six months of 2019 and jumped 4.85 percent in Q2. While these sales are in-part fuelled by GM’s deep discounts on the model, a good amount of customers are still flocking to the vehicle. We would not be shocked to see sales stay even or climb in Q3, either, with GM offering a steep 20 percent discount on the Encore in August.

As you’ll see in the sales chart below, Encore sales are up at a time when much of the segment is trending downward – save for newer entries like the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - 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
JEEP COMPASS -13.15% 38,207 43,990 18% 21% -13.71% 75,513 87,510
BUICK ENCORE +4.85% 24,291 23,167 11% 11% +0.54% 48,897 48,635
CHEVROLET TRAX -17.80% 21,790 26,507 10% 12% -1.32% 46,370 46,989
HONDA HR-V -4.94% 23,530 24,752 11% 12% -0.83% 45,179 45,555
HYUNDAI KONA +47.95% 18,692 12,634 9% 6% +144.12% 37,089 15,193
JEEP RENEGADE -30.88% 17,818 25,780 8% 12% -28.56% 36,036 50,439
TOYOTA C-HR -10.54% 11,290 12,620 5% 6% -1.63% 25,811 26,239
FORD ECOSPORT +22.80% 21,507 17,514 10% 8% +45.64% 34,386 23,610
NISSAN KICKS +2,874.07% 16,744 563 8% 0% +5,097.69% 29,263 563
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT -29.76% 6,311 8,985 3% 4% -16.27% 18,768 22,415
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS +55.38% 3,594 2,313 2% 1% +324.51% 12,591 2,966
KIA NIRO -16.17% 6,596 7,868 3% 4% -15.92% 11,942 14,203
MAZDA CX-3 -33.25% 3,531 5,290 2% 2% -29.53% 6,784 9,627
FIAT 500X -55.71% 729 1,646 0% 1% -53.98% 1,484 3,225
NISSAN JUKE -99.49% 1 196 0% 0% -98.47% 10 652
TOTAL +0.38% 214,631 213,825 +8.12% 430,123 397,821

GM’s sales strategy for the Buick Encore and Buick Encore GX should come into focus closer to the Encore GX’s market launch early next year. It will also be interesting to see if GM continues to off deep discounts on the vehicle throughout Q3 2019 and into Q4 and if this continues to drive strong sales of the vehicle.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. When Buick had the low priced entry level Verano, it was dumped. So I don’t see them keeping a low priced old platform around. Keeping the Trax and Encore around is just a way to cover up the mistake of dropping the Verano and Cruze.

    Reply
  2. both foreign built American cars –build them here by American workers or drop them

    Reply
    1. Buick= GEO Division of the 2000s

      Reply
  3. Looking forward to the Encore GX, hopefully they offer some kind of incentive … would makes sense if they want the vehicle to be successful, not just discounting the Encore. I’m leasing a 2018 Buick Encore and the only shortcomings were a center Console and a tad more cargo space from the second seat back , The encore GX addresses both of those shortcomings so it’s a win-win situation Plus the added technology .

    Reply
    1. Hopefully the GX will be able to tow a trailer, any of the small SUV’s should be able to tow 1,000 pounds. The current Encore isn’t suppose to tow anything.

      Reply
  4. I”m looking forward to this Encore GX and want to take one for a spin when they come out. Maybe it will turn in to something.

    Reply
    1. Pricing on the 2020 Encore GX will be comparable to the current Encore. I work at a GM Dealer in Colorado and we have a few AWD Essence models and Preferred models that will be built first. Expect an entry level price at about $28,500.

      Reply

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