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GMC Acadia Sales Jump 50 Percent In Q3 2019

GMC Acadia sales increased in the United States, and decreased in Canada and Mexico during the third quarter of 2019.

GMC Acadia Sales - Q3 2019 - United States

In the United States, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 20,338 units in Q3 2019, an increase of about 51 percent compared to 13,485 units sold in Q3 2018.

In the first nine months of the year, Acadia sales increased about 26 percent to 79,958 units.
MODEL Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 Q3 2019 Q3 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ACADIA +50.82% 20,338 13,485 +25.93% 79,958 63,493

GMC Acadia Sales - Q3 2019 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 888 units in Q3 2019, a decrease of about 37 percent compared to 1,406 units sold in Q3 2018.

In the first nine months of the year, Acadia sales decreased about 23 percent to 3,197 units.
MODEL Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 Q3 2019 Q3 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ACADIA -36.84% 888 1,406 -23.41% 3,197 4,174

GMC Acadia Sales - Q3 2019 - Mexico

In Mexico, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 211 units in Q3 2019, a decrease of about 47 percent compared to 397 units sold in Q3 2018.

In the first nine months of the year, Acadia sales decreased about 34 percent to 672 units.
MODEL Q3 2019 / Q3 2018 Q3 2019 Q3 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
ACADIA -46.85% 211 397 -33.99% 672 1,018

Competitive Sales Comparison

Following a record-setting sales performance in the first quarter of 2019 and a healthy increase in Q2, GMC Acadia sales increased once again during the third quarter – and in a big way. The performance places the midsize crossover in 11th place in its competitive set in terms of overall sales volume out of a total of 20 competitors. The model was outsold by the segment-leading Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee (see Jeep Grand Cherokee sales), the Acadia’s corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Traverse, which rides on a longer version of the same C1 vehicle architecture used by the Acadia (see Chevy Traverse sales), the Honda Pilot, Ford Edge (see Ford Edge sales), Ford Explorer (see Ford Explorer sales), Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales).

Sales Numbers - Midsize & Full-Size Mainstream Crossovers - 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
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER +3.82% 68,986 66,445 13% 14% -0.29% 180,169 180,699
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE +7.72% 61,768 57,340 12% 12% +11.03% 185,040 166,653
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE +24.94% 41,116 32,908 8% 7% +6.07% 113,491 106,998
FORD EDGE +18.68% 36,660 30,890 7% 6% +1.98% 100,894 98,938
HONDA PILOT -18.95% 35,517 43,822 7% 9% -13.29% 103,969 119,901
FORD EXPLORER -47.95% 31,546 60,611 6% 13% -29.86% 120,226 171,416
FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY -68.12% 2,408 7,553 0% 2% -38.91% 15,551 25,454
HYUNDAI SANTA FE -3.48% 28,748 29,784 6% 6% +8.26% 96,319 88,969
KIA SORENTO -23.53% 25,182 32,932 5% 7% -15.74% 72,200 85,692
NISSAN MURANO -0.20% 24,376 24,425 5% 5% -20.37% 50,348 63,225
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS +48.07% 21,979 14,844 4% 3% +38.84% 59,705 43,002
GMC ACADIA +50.82% 20,338 13,485 4% 3% +25.93% 79,958 63,493
CHEVROLET BLAZER * 20,312 * 4% 0% * 35,107 0
SUBARU ASCENT +35.76% 19,934 14,683 4% 3% +262.14% 60,042 16,580
KIA TELLURIDE * 15,982 * 3% 0% * 39,209 0
DODGE DURANGO -7.06% 15,631 16,819 3% 4% +6.22% 52,622 49,541
HYUNDAI PALISADE * 13,074 * 3% 0% * 13,457 0
NISSAN PATHFINDER -20.79% 13,030 16,450 3% 3% -1.62% 49,342 50,152
HONDA PASSPORT * 10,583 * 2% 0% * 25,123 0
MAZDA CX-9 +3.14% 6,671 6,468 1% 1% -12.47% 18,543 21,184
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER -33.16% 4,882 7,304 1% 2% -1.10% 30,471 30,810
TOTAL +8.80% 518,723 476,763 +8.61% 1,501,786 1,382,707

However, the Acadia outsold all other segment contenders, including its other corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Blazer (see Chevrolet Blazer sales), Subaru Ascent, Kia Telluride, Dodge Durango (see Dodge Durango sales), Hyundai Palisade, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Passport, Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales), and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Overall, the Acadia saw a segment share of 4 percent, which is significantly less than the 13-percent share occupied by the segment best-selling Toyota Highlander and 12 percent enjoyed by the Jeep Grand Cherokee. On a positive note, the 51-percent growth in GMC Acadia sales enabled the vehicle to outpace the 9-percent average segment growth rate.

The mainstream crossover segment, comprised of crossover SUVs with a starting price in the vicinity of $30,000, expanded 8.8 percent to 518,723 units in Q3 2019.

2017 GMC Acadia media drive 001

The GM Authority Take

The significant growth in GMC Acadia sales in the third quarter of 2019 is very welcome news given that sales dropped nearly 21 percent during the 2018 calendar year. Sales of the crossover have been gaining steam every quarter thus far in 2019, something we attribute to the following potential factors:

  1. Worthwhile incentives offered during the third quarter
  2. Ample availability and inventory at the dealer level
  3. A competitive and desirable product offering that hits at the sweet spot of the crossover shopper

Going forward, the GMC Acadia is well-positioned to take advantage of the ongoing shift in consumer buying dynamics wherein buyers continue to switch to crossovers from sedans. That said, the already-competitive segment in which the Acadia competes is getting even more crowded with all-new offerings, including the Kia Telluride, which went on sale during the second quarter, and the Hyundai Palisade, which went on sale during the third quarter. The vehicles are half a size class larger than the Acadia, but still fulfill the general requirements of a three-row mainstream crossover. GM does have vehicles the size of the Telluride and Palisade in non-U.S. markets, including the new three-row Chevrolet Blazer and Chinese-market Buick Enclave. Currently, the vehicles have only been announced for China.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Acadia refresh is currently launching across North America, including the United States market. The enhancement brings redesigned front and rear ends, along with a new 2.0L turbo engine, a 9-speed transmission, a new AT4 trim level in place of the outgoing All Terrain, and various enhancements inside the cabin and in-vehicle technologies.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to GMC Acadia sales in Q3 2019, except as noted
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q3 2019 and 76 selling days in Q3 2018
GM Q3 2019 sales numbers:

2017 GMC Acadia

About GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is a mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is the largest GMC crossover currently offered, slotting above the compact GMC Terrain.

The current model was introduced for the 2017 model year and represents the second generation of the Acadia nameplate. It rides on the GM C1 platform shared with the Cadillac XT5. It is expected that the upcoming, future Chevrolet Blazer will ride on the same platform. Meanwhile, the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave use a longer-wheelbase variant of the same architecture.

Compared to its first-generation predecessor, the second-gen Acadia is an all-new vehicle that is one size segment smaller, while also being sleeker, more modern, more tech-laden and much lighter. Despite its smaller size, the second-gen Acadia manages to retain three rows of seating and generous cargo space.

2017 GMC Acadia media drive - interior 001

For the 2018 model year, the Acadia got a new color, automatic heated steering wheel in place of the manual heated steering wheel, Tire Fill Alert, some new wheels on the SLT-1 All Terrain model, as well as broader availability of the 3.6L V-6 engine and All-Terrain package.

For the 2019 model year, the Acadia receives several new colors, Express Up and Down window controls for the driver's-side controls as standard on the SLE-2 and SLT-1 trims, the expanded availability of the Ebony interior color with the All-Terrain package on the SLT trim level and the introduction of the Acadia Black Edition.

2019 GMC Acadia Black Edition

The Acadia Black Edition was introduced for the 2019 model year

A midcycle refresh arrives for the 2020 model year that delivers updated styling, the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission, a new turbo-charged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine, a new AT4 model that replaces the Acadia All Terrain, interior updates, and various other improvements.

The GMC Acadia is built exclusively at the GM Spring Hill factory in Tennessee operated by GM USA.

2020 GMC Acadia AT4 - Exterior Zoom 001

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Comments

  1. Really impressive performance by all of GM’s mainstream three rows. Great to see.

    Reply
  2. It’s also interesting to see the market rejecting the new Explorer. I realize that it has not fully rolled out, though reviews have not been kind and customers seem dissatisfied.

    Reply
    1. Reply
    2. To shed some light on the Explorer numbers: the market isn’t rejecting the new Explorer, people are scooping them as days to turn for the new model was very low. The problem for Q3 was availability, which was extremely low.

      Reply
  3. If they can solve reliability issues with the Acadia/Traverse/Enclave they would be even higher in the sales numbers.

    Reply
    1. Dale

      “Reliability problems” describes everything in this class. CR even called out the Highlander & RAV4 as the worst Toyota’s for reliability.

      Reply
    2. If Elvis was still alive…..

      Reply
  4. I wish the Acadia was built on a truck frame with a Diesel Engine to compete against the 4 runner. I really like the AT4 look, but I can’t take it off road up north.

    Reply
  5. The Explorer and Aviator are having growing pains due to poor planning by Ford. They have been having qualities issues at the factory here in Chicago which has affected availability.

    Reply
  6. I would wait a few more years before getting one of these. The 9 speed seems to be hit and miss when tied to the V6 engine, electrical issues seem common and other odd infotainment and water leaks seem to be cropping up. I’m also surprised that the MPG didn’t go up higher. How does this lighter CUV with the newer design 3.6 get the same mileage as the heavier Traverse with the same transmission and the older LFX based 3.6? Will be interesting to see if the 2020 changes affect sales and reliability/complaints.

    Reply
  7. I’ve been admiring this vehicle’s lines for some time now. Well done, GM.

    Reply
  8. I have been seeing an explosion of the new kia and hyundai entries into this segment. Would not be surprised to see them in the top 10 soon. Not sure what the allure of buying a car whose engine will likely blow up at the 100k mark but people seem to love these throw away korean cars.

    Reply
    1. The allure is price. They can price their models to come out cheaper loaded with options and people are all for cheaper.

      They save money on labor at non union plants and with many unseen short cuts and cheaper under skin things that save money but create more repair cost at higher miles.

      I am not sure what is going on but I have seen so many Hyundai’s running around with burned out tail lamps or non working tail lamps. Most are not very old. It has been decades since I had to replace a bulb.

      Reply

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