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GMC Acadia Sales Fall 43 Percent In Q1 2020

GMC Acadia sales decreased in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during the first quarter of 2020.

GMC Acadia Sales - Q1 2020 - United States

In the United States, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 17,686 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 43 percent compared to 31,200 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
ACADIA -43.31% 17,686 31,200

GMC Acadia Sales - Q1 2020 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 844 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 24 percent compared to 1,114 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
ACADIA -24.24% 844 1,114

GMC Acadia Sales - Q1 2020 - Mexico

In Mexico, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 170 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 27 percent compared to 233 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
ACADIA -27.04% 170 233

Competitive Sales Comparison

The not-insignificant 43 percent decline in GMC Acadia sales during the first quarter of 2020 follows a 23 percent decline in the fourth quarter of 2019. It’s worth noting that the 2019 calendar year wasn’t all bad for the midsize crossover, as the Acadia saw a record-setting sales performance in the first quarter of 2019 and healthy a increase in Q2 and Q3.

The Q1 2020 performance puts the midsize crossover in 13th place in its competitive set in terms of overall sales volume out of 21 competitors. The Acadia was outsold by the segment-leading Ford Explorer (see Ford Explorer sales), Toyota Highlander, the Acadia’s corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Traverse – which rides on a longer version of the C1 vehicle architecture used by the Acadia (see Chevy Traverse sales), Ford Edge (see Ford Edge sales), Toyota 4Runner, Honda Pilot, the Acadia’s other corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Blazer (see Chevrolet Blazer sales), the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Sorento, and Dodge Durango.

Sales Numbers - Midsize & Full-Size Mainstream Crossovers - Q1 2020 - United States

MODEL Q1 20 / Q1 19 Q1 20 Q1 19 Q1 20 SHARE Q1 19 SHARE
FORD EXPLORER +5.64% 56,310 53,306 12% 11%
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE -13.27% 50,083 57,749 10% 12%
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER -8.99% 47,890 52,621 10% 11%
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE -12.06% 30,095 34,223 6% 7%
FORD EDGE -4.27% 29,599 30,920 6% 6%
TOYOTA 4RUNNER -14.49% 28,072 32,829 6% 7%
HONDA PILOT -27.49% 23,898 32,957 5% 7%
CHEVROLET BLAZER +632.51% 22,144 3,023 5% 1%
HYUNDAI SANTA FE -27.98% 20,658 28,683 4% 6%
NISSAN PATHFINDER +4.25% 18,092 17,354 4% 4%
KIA SORENTO -23.56% 18,055 23,619 4% 5%
DODGE DURANGO +4.62% 17,805 17,019 4% 3%
GMC ACADIA -43.31% 17,686 31,200 4% 6%
KIA TELLURIDE +211.88% 16,826 5,395 3% 1%
HYUNDAI PALISADE * 16,333 * 3% 0%
NISSAN MURANO +33.71% 15,683 11,729 3% 2%
SUBARU ASCENT -18.08% 15,624 19,073 3% 4%
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS -3.58% 15,407 15,979 3% 3%
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER -6.78% 12,809 13,740 3% 3%
HONDA PASSPORT +62.71% 7,833 4,814 2% 1%
MAZDA CX-9 +12.48% 7,219 6,418 1% 1%
TOTAL -0.92% 488,121 492,651

However, the Acadia outsold all other segment contenders, including the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Nissan Murano, Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales), Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda Passport, and Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales).

Overall, the Acadia saw a segment share of 4 percent, which is significantly lower than the 12 percent share occupied by the segment best-selling Ford Explorer. Additionally, the 43 percent drop in GMC Acadia sales was significantly greater than the 1 percent average segment contraction rate.

The mainstream crossover segment, comprised of crossover SUVs with a starting price in the vicinity of $30,000, contracted 1 percent to 486,992 units in Q1 2020.

The GM Authority Take

The slump in GMC Acadia sales during Q1 2020 is disappointing, though not particularly unexpected given the industry-wide drop in sales caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, coronavirus isn’t solely responsible for the substantial drop in Acadia deliveries. Since sales fell way faster than the segment average, it would appear that the decline was caused by weaker demand for the Acadia compared to other segment rivals.

We also posit that internal cannibalization is taking place with other GM crossovers, namely the new Chevrolet Blazer – which saw sales jump 632 percent – as well as the Chevrolet Traverse, which – like the Acadia – offers three rows of seating, but with substantially more space.

Meanwhile, the already-competitive segment in which the Acadia competes is getting even more crowded with all-new offerings, including the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and the upcoming Volkswagen Atlas Sport Cross – a two-row version of the existing Volkswagen Atlas. One could say that, without substantial discounts/incentives for the Acadia, these new competing models present better values.

The Acadia received a refresh for the 2020 model year, bringing redesigned front and rear ends, along with a new 2.0L turbo engine, a 9-speed transmission, a new AT4 trim level to replace the outgoing All Terrain, and various enhancements and updates.

We expect GMC Acadia sales to fall even further during the second quarter of 2020, since Q2 will be hit even harder by the coronavirus pandemic. What will happen to sales of the midsize crossover when the virus-related impact wears off is anyone’s guess.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to GMC Acadia sales in Q1 2019, except as noted
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2020
GM Q1 2020 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. When shopping for a vehicle to replace my Buick LaCrosse, I was torn between the 2019 Acadia and the Blazer. The manufactured in Mexico (while GM employees in the U.S. were being let go) stuck in my craw. Having been an owner of a beloved 2013 Terrain, I went for the Acadia SLT2. After a year of ownership, I am completely satisfied with my purchase. It is everything I needed and is well put together. I cannot see the Blazer’s 900%+ increase in sales. After a year plus, I have seen 2, yes TWO
    Blazers in Fla-da. Where are these numbers coming from?

    Reply
  2. The Acadia refresh is a failure.

    GMC screwed up the exterior styling, which was far more cohesive before the refresh. Then they mostly ignored the very dated interior materials and did nothing to improve interior quality.

    That was a waste of money. They’d have been better off doing nothing.

    The Acadia can’t even keep up with the ancient Durango and Pathfinder.

    Reply
    1. Huh? Screwed up styling? More cohesive? What are you talking about? It looks better than the pre facelift version.

      Reply
  3. This segment is a hot one . Seems like there is a new vehicle coming out every week that wants a piece of the pie . Also Chevy and Buick are engaged in their own fight , so GM is pitting one division against the other .
    The biggest complaint that I keep reading about is the gear selector ,it works but looks out of place . I am willing to bet that that turns some people off .

    Reply
  4. I’m sure the anemic 2.0 didn’t help any either, it’s barely adequate in the XT4 but somehow GM thinks it adds value in a heavier and older vehicle.

    Reply

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