Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales decreased in the United States and Mexico, and increased in Canada during the third quarter of 2019.
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban USA Sales - Q3 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 19 / Q3 18 | Q3 19 | Q3 18 | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAHOE | -9.13% | 26,308 | 28,951 | +0.79% | 80,103 | 79,474 |
| SUBURBAN | -20.43% | 12,391 | 15,572 | -8.25% | 41,686 | 45,433 |
| TOTAL | -13.08% | 38,699 | 44,523 | -2.50% | 121,789 | 124,907 |
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban USA Sales - Q3 2019 - Canada
| MODEL | Q3 19 / Q3 18 | Q3 19 | Q3 18 | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAHOE | +27.91% | 1,430 | 1,118 | +17.12% | 3,339 | 2,851 |
| SUBURBAN | -30.63% | 505 | 728 | -19.65% | 1,869 | 2,326 |
| TOTAL | +4.82% | 1,935 | 1,846 | +0.60% | 5,208 | 5,177 |
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban Mexico Sales - Q3 2019 - Mexico
| MODEL | Q3 19 / Q3 18 | Q3 19 | Q3 18 | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAHOE | -9.40% | 212 | 234 | -37.15% | 467 | 743 |
| SUBURBAN | -32.88% | 392 | 584 | -30.95% | 1,160 | 1,680 |
| TOTAL | -26.16% | 604 | 818 | -32.85% | 1,627 | 2,423 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Despite the decline, Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales continued to dominate their segment in the third quarter of 2019 in the U.S., with a combined 38,699 units sold – comprised of 26,308 units for the Tahoe and 12,391 for the Suburban. The GMC Yukon took second place in the segment (see running GMC Yukon sales), ahead of the Ford Expedition in third place (see running Ford Expedition sales). It’s worth reiterating that Expedition sales figures include those of the regular-length Expedition and the extended-length Expedition MAX models. In comparison, Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales are reported separately.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Full-Size SUVs - Q3 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 19 / Q3 18 | Q3 19 | Q3 18 | Q3 19 SHARE | Q3 18 SHARE | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TAHOE | -9.13% | 26,308 | 28,951 | 31% | 33% | +0.79% | 80,103 | 79,474 |
| GMC YUKON | -10.33% | 18,737 | 20,896 | 22% | 24% | -3.09% | 53,707 | 55,418 |
| FORD EXPEDITION | +47.66% | 18,586 | 12,587 | 22% | 14% | +53.39% | 62,155 | 40,521 |
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | -20.43% | 12,391 | 15,572 | 15% | 18% | -8.25% | 41,686 | 45,433 |
| NISSAN ARMADA | -18.28% | 5,896 | 7,215 | 7% | 8% | -4.10% | 24,609 | 25,660 |
| TOYOTA SEQUOIA | +13.33% | 3,019 | 2,664 | 4% | 3% | -6.44% | 7,583 | 8,105 |
| TOTAL | -3.35% | 84,937 | 87,885 | +5.98% | 269,843 | 254,611 |
On a combined basis, Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales accounted for 46-percent segment share, the highest in the segment by a long margin. The GMC Yukon came in second with 22 percent, beating Ford – which also saw a 22-percent segment share – by a thin margin of 151 units. Taking into account the Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon, GM enjoyed a 68-percent segment share during the quarter.
The full-size mainstream SUV segment contracted slightly over 3 percent to 84,937 units in Q3 2019.
The GM Authority Take
While Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales in the third quarter enabled the Bow Tie brand to maintain its long-standing status as the undisputed sales leader in the segment, it’s worth noting that the Ford Expedition made up a lot of ground, increasing sales by an astounding 48 percent, while Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales saw sales drop 13 percent during the same timeframe.
Going forward, we expect Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe sales to remain roughly at current levels or grow slightly as a result of:
- Higher incentives on the current models to deter customers from switching to the Ford Expedition, and
- The ongoing shift in consumer behavior that sees increased demand for utility vehicles
Incentives will remain a particularly important element in enabling Chevrolet to maintain its sales volume in the segment, since higher rebates is how the Bow Tie brand will be able to remain competitive against the Ford Expedition, which is a significantly newer and more modern offering compared to the aging Tahoe and Suburban. Meanwhile, the Chevy models are going on six years old for the 2020 model year. Luckily, Chevrolet will counter the all-new Expedition in the first quarter of 2019 with the all-new, 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Suburban.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe Q3 2018 sales
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q3 2019 and 76 selling days in Q3 2018
- Ford Expedition sales figures include sales for regular-length Expedition and extended-length Expedition MAX
- 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
The current generation Suburban and Tahoe had a great run. While Ford has indeed covered a lot of ground with its new Expedition, Chevrolet will counter the new Expedition with its extensively overhauled Tahoe and Suburban for the 2021 MY once they unveil them next month on December 10th. With their complete redesigns right around the corner, the next exciting chapter in the book of the Suburban and Tahoe is soon to begin.
I agree, but I am more of a GMC Yukon fan than a Chevy Tahoe guy.
Let’s not forget Fleet sales have helped boost the sales volumes of the Tahoe and Suburban, while the new Ford Expedition has reduced its fleets sales to focus on residual resale value and profit more money for Ford Motor Company. Also, GM offered heavy incentives on their Tahoe and Suburban variants to move these things versus Ford then zero incentives.
I have two local Ford agencies. One of them treats me like royalty when I walk in the door. How so? They avert their eyes. The other dealer has “Market Adjustment” stickers on their Expeditions, although the three he had on offer had been in stock for at least five months.
My local Chevrolet agency is eager to do business, and will call me when the 2021s start to come in.
I guess Ford doesn’t need the business.
I would like to know when the 2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali will be unveiled>