Chevrolet Bolt EV sales increased in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while decreasing in South Korea during the third quarter of 2019.
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q3 2019 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 4,830 units in Q3 2019, an increase of about 22 percent compared to 3,949 units sold in Q3 2018.In the first nine months of the year, Bolt EV sales increased about 11 percent to 13,111 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 | Q3 2019 | Q3 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | +22.31% | 4,830 | 3,949 | +11.04% | 13,111 | 11,807 |
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q3 2019 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 1,148 units in Q3 2019, an increase of about 125 percent compared to 511 units sold in Q3 2018.In the first nine months of the year, Bolt EV sales increased about 47 percent to 2,864 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 | Q3 2019 | Q3 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | +124.66% | 1,148 | 511 | +47.33% | 2,864 | 1,944 |
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q3 2019 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 9 units in Q3 2019, an increase of about 29 percent compared to 7 units sold in Q3 2018.In the first nine months of the year, Bolt EV sales increased about 67 percent to 25 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 | Q3 2019 | Q3 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | +28.57% | 9 | 7 | +66.67% | 25 | 15 |
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q3 2019 - Brazil
In Brazil, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 1 units in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Bolt EV sales totaled 2 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 | Q3 2019 | Q3 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | * | 1 | * | * | 2 | 0 |
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q3 2019 - South Korea
In South Korea, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 684 units in Q3 2019, a decrease of about 57 percent compared to 1,573 units sold in Q3 2018.In the first nine months of the year, Bolt EV sales decreased about 50 percent to 2,363 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 | Q3 2019 | Q3 2018 | YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | -56.52% | 684 | 1,573 | -49.67% | 2,363 | 4,695 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Chevrolet Bolt EV sales saw healthy growth during the third quarter of 2019, enabling the small EV to increase its segment share from 8 to 12 percent during the quarter. In addition, the growth rate of Chevy’s battery-electric car-crossover outpaced that of its rivals, being one of three models in the space to see an uptick in sales volume. In fact, the Bolt EV was the only model in its segment to see sales volume increase in an organic fashion, rather than the growth associated with limited availability of the Hyundai Ioniq and Volkswagen e-Golf in the year-ago quarter, which distorts the actual growth rate.
The circumstance keeps the Bolt EV in third place in the mainstream dedicated electric/electrified vehicle segment, behind the segment-leading Toyota Prius, which commanded 52 percent of the segment share despite a 7.6-percent decrease in sales, and the Hyundai Ioniq in second place with 16 percent of the segment share. The Bolt EV outsold the rest of the segment, including the Nissan Leaf – the Bolt EV’s most direct rival, which saw sales decrease 23 percent – followed by the Honda Clarity. The rest of the competition was behind by quite a notable margin, including GM’s own Chevy Volt (see Chevy Volt sales), which has been discontinued, as well as the Volkswagen e-Golf, and the Toyota Mirai.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Small Battery Electric & Electrified Cars - Q3 2019 - USA
| MODEL | Q3 19 / Q3 18 | Q3 19 | Q3 18 | Q3 19 SHARE | Q3 18 SHARE | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA PRIUS | -7.63% | 21,017 | 22,754 | 52% | 50% | -27.08% | 50,258 | 68,925 |
| HYUNDAI IONIQ | +117.73% | 6,547 | 3,007 | 16% | 7% | +21.89% | 14,146 | 11,606 |
| CHEVROLET BOLT EV | +22.31% | 4,830 | 3,949 | 12% | 9% | +11.04% | 13,111 | 11,807 |
| NISSAN LEAF | -22.95% | 3,103 | 4,027 | 8% | 9% | -14.74% | 9,111 | 10,686 |
| HONDA CLARITY | -57.96% | 2,314 | 5,504 | 6% | 12% | -29.71% | 9,359 | 13,314 |
| VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF | +2,560.94% | 1,703 | 64 | 4% | 0% | +328.10% | 3,596 | 840 |
| CHEVROLET VOLT | -83.90% | 874 | 5,429 | 2% | 12% | -65.72% | 4,540 | 13,243 |
| TOYOTA MIRAI | -30.58% | 286 | 412 | 1% | 1% | +8.14% | 1,249 | 1,155 |
| TOTAL | -9.91% | 40,674 | 45,146 | -19.92% | 105,370 | 131,576 |
We should note that Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq sales figures are not exclusively representative of battery-electric vehicles, since those models also include Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid variants of each vehicle. The case is similar for the Honda Clarity, which is available in Plug-In Hybrid, Electric and Fuel Cell flavors.
The mainstream dedicated new energy vehicle segment contracted 10 percent to 40,674 units in Q3 2019.
The GM Authority Take
Chevrolet Bolt EV sales volume has always been an area of concern, especially given GM’s strategy to dive headfirst into the electric vehicle space by planning to roll out 20 electric vehicles by the year 2023. In that regard, the third quarter was another step in the right direction following a stable first quarter and growth in the second quarter. Both movements are welcome, given the model’s lackluster performance throughout 2018.
Even so, the Bolt’s sales volume is still low. Hence, we sincerely hope that this is the beginning of a Chevrolet Bolt EV sales growth streak, or that GM knows something we don’t as it relates to the future commercial success of electric cars.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Bolt sales for Q3 2018, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q3 2019 and 76 selling days in Q3 2018
- South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
- China sales figures represent retail deliveries and not wholesales
- Toyota Prius sales include Prius, Prius Prime, Prius c and Prius v
- Toyota Mirai sales include Mirai fuel cell vehicle
- Hyundai Ioniq sales include Ioniq Electric, Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
- Honda Clarity sales include Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Clarity Electric and Clarity Fuel Cell
- GM Q3 2019 sales U.S.A.
- Chevrolet sales Q3 2019 U.S.A.
- Cadillac sales Q3 2019 U.S.A.
- Buick sales Q3 2019 U.S.A.
- GMC sales Q3 2019 U.S.A.
- GM Canada sales Q3 2019
- Chevrolet Canada sales Q3 2019
- Cadillac Canada sales Q3 2019
- Buick Canada sales Q3 2019
- GMC Canada sales Q3 2019
- GM Mexico sales Q3 2019
- GM China sales Q3 2019
- Chevrolet China Q3 3019 sales
- Buick China Q3 2019 sales
- Cadillac China Q3 2019 sales
- GM Brazil sales Q3 2019
- GM South Korea sales Q3 2019
Comments
I think it’s a combination of things.
1. The great manufacturer incentives pushing down the cost of the bolt to the low 20’s.
2. Better education of the sales staff at the dealers. Now, this is antidotal, but while I was having my tires rotated on my Bolt at Concord Chevrolet, I overheard a sales person talking to a customer and they really knew their stuff and were very enthusiastic about it.
3. More chargers being available for people who travel longer distances. Electrify America being one of the main players.
4. The fantastic performance of the Bolt. If you get someone behind the wheel, they are usually very impressed with the acceleration and handling. It a very fun car to drive. Also the Bolt is pretty roomy on the inside for it’s size. Not the best seats though…
Now some downsides to the Bolt. As an owner who really likes the Bolt, there are some improvements that need to be made for GM to stay competitive.
1. Really needs available adaptive cruise control. Honestly, this should have been available from the beginning, as it was available in the Volt.
2. Nicer interior materials. Doesn’t need to be Cadillac or Lexus quality, but up to the level Hyundai and Kia are doing in their EVs.
3. Styling may not be up to everyone’s taste, but I like it, because I really like hatchbacks. It reminds me of my VW rabbit I had as a teenager, except much faster. Of course newer VW golfs are more refined than the Bolt. I just mean the personality of the Bolt brings me back.
Availability is a big plus in pushing sales. A lot of commuters living in cities outside the CARB states have an option to buy the Bolt within 20 miles. Can’t say the same about other EV’s. As much as I’d like to have an e-Niro, the dealership keeps pushing BS on why they do not feel confident EV’s will sell, and says it should be scrapped altogether. So much FUD ?.
The prius is not an electric vehicle. It is a parallel hybrid, and needs its gas engine when accelerating and running at high speeds. It should not be even in this list. If you want to make this list correct, just take out all that have an engine, including the Volt, although this can run 100% on electricity all the time without using gasoline at all.
It’s not the way actual consumers shop these cars. You might break them up like that because you obviously follow these products, and an electrified car is clearly not the same as a battery electric car… but average consumers tend to think and shop differently.