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Chevrolet Impala Sales Grow Smaller As Supply Dwindles In Q1 2020

Chevrolet Impala sales decreased in the United States and Canada during the first quarter of 2020 as supply of the discontinued model continued to decline.

Chevrolet Impala Sales - Q1 2020 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Impala deliveries totaled 4,965 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 63 percent compared to 13,259 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
IMPALA -62.55% 4,965 13,259

Chevrolet Impala Sales - Q1 2020 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Impala deliveries totaled 166 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 89 percent compared to 1,526 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
IMPALA -89.12% 166 1,526

Competitive Sales Comparison

Chevrolet Impala sales performance fell to fourth place in its competitive set during Q1 2020, behind the Dodge Charger in first place with a very respectable 18,628 units, the Nissan Maxima in second with 6,102 units, and the Chrysler 300 in third place with 5,596 units. The Impala outsold the Toyota Avalon (4,080 deliveries) and all-new Volkswagen Arteon (788 deliveries). The last two spots were occupied by the Kia Cadenza and VW CC; both models have been discontinued.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Mainstream Sedans - Q1 2020 - United States

MODEL Q1 20 / Q1 19 Q1 20 Q1 19 Q1 20 SHARE Q1 19 SHARE
DODGE CHARGER -9.64% 18,628 20,615 46% 34%
NISSAN MAXIMA -42.18% 6,102 10,554 15% 18%
CHRYSLER 300 -32.50% 5,596 8,290 14% 14%
CHEVROLET IMPALA -62.55% 4,965 13,259 12% 22%
TOYOTA AVALON -38.36% 4,080 6,619 10% 11%
VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON * 788 * 2% 0%
KIA CADENZA +18.00% 485 411 1% 1%
VOLKSWAGEN CC -22.68% 17 22 0% 0%
TOTAL -31.97% 40,661 59,770
  • Nissan Maxima and Volkswagen Arteon are not full-size sedans, but rather midsize sedans with more premium content compared to the similarly-sized Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat, respectively. We included both in the report since both models carry similar pricing structures and purchase demographics to vehicles in the mainstream full-size sedan segment.

From a segment share standpoint, the Chevy Impala accounted for 12 percent, fourth to the 46 percent commanded by the Dodge Charger, 15 percent commanded by the Nissan Maxima and 14 percent by the Chrysler 300.

The full-size mainstream sedan segment contracted 32 percent to 40,661 units in Q1 2020.

The GM Authority Take

Chevrolet Impala sales declined after production of the vehicle ended in February 2020. Meanwhile, complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant roadblocks during Q1 as consumer demand and dealers’ ability to sell vehicles were disrupted. Even so, the fact that the Impala – a discontinued product – managed to rank as high as it did in its segment, outselling the Avalon and Arteon while almost catching up to the Chrysler 300, is very impressive.

More than anything else, the 32 percent average drop in full-size mainstream sedan sales underscore General Motors’ decision to discontinue the Impala, along with other passenger cars like the Cruze, Volt, LaCrosse and Regal, as customers abandon sedans in favor of other vehicles like utilities (crossovers and SUVs) as well as pickup trucks. Impala production ended on February 28th, 2019 after a temporary stay of execution. Some automakers – namely, Toyota, FCA (the parent firm of Dodge and Chrysler), Nissan and Volkswagen are continuing to offer vehicles in the full-size sedan segment, despite slipping volumes. For instance, VW has recently launched a replacement for the CC called Arteon, while Toyota continues to offer the somewhat-new Avalon.

However, it’s worth noting that Dodge continues to outperform the segment with its Charger, which is the only sports-oriented offering in the space. The Charger also happens to command almost half of the segment sales volume. Perhaps that should lend some clues about customer preferences in the segment, with one theory being that there remains is a sizable amount of customers interested sporty four-door sedans like the Charger, rather than a comfort-oriented offering like the Impala. That said, Charger sales are propped up by orders from the police and rental car agencies, making it difficult to determine true demand at the retail level.

For the time being, we wave goodbye to the Impala, which will go down as a fine luxury sedan.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Impala sales in Q1 2019, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2020 and 76 selling days in Q1 2019
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
GM Q1 2020 sales numbers:
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Comments

  1. To GM leadership… SHAME!

    Reply
    1. When did you buy your Impala?

      Actually how posting here actually owns an Impala or Malibu?

      I own one but I also understand what is selling. This is about lack of volume and lack of profits.

      When you can spend the same amount into a Nox and sell 400,000 units vs 75,000 Impalas?

      Sorry the numbers don’t add up.

      Reply
      1. Well in that case the Bolt should have been put to pasture a while back because it is selling in smaller numbers than the Impala and like the Impala is shrinking too yet there are no plans whatsoever to kill it off so again this logic isn’t adding up.

        I own a 2017 Impala and several friends of mine also own the current body style. I was going to look into a new one after 2021 but it won’t exists anymore. So there went 3 potential sales right out the window and into the hands of a foreign company or possibly a Charger/300

        Reply
        1. Actually the money spent on the Bolt was seed money to develop EV components. If there is no product there is no vendor investment. GM is going to correct the non profit deal by going to a higher priced Hummer that people will buy and will cover the development cost.

          No one knew people would pay up and over six figures till the S came along. Now that it has told well the Hummer should have no problem as it will be a image vehicle like it once was.

          To your credit you own an Impala but the cold hard truth is few people do, I have a bu and helped get a family member into a LTZ Impala at at a substantial discount. It was left over from the year before and just sitting on the lot with 8 other same year Impalas.

          As for the 300 and Charger they had better buy soon as they are at the end of life. Odds are they will be replaced with a FWD PSA car from France. The delay in the merger is holding it up.

          The only sedans that will last will be high end luxury cars with prices that support low volume. Also global cars sold everywhere like a Honda and Toyota, They make up in volume globally,

          People can piss and moan. But any sale under 100K units on vehicles under $50k are money losers in most cases, That money could be put into other models that bring 3-4 times the return.

          The Caprice and Impala used to be good for nearly a million sales per year. Last year they did not even make 1/10th of that.

          Automakers can not fill every niche anymore so they will go for the profit and future tech,.

          At the end of the day it is no longer about emotion, heritage and total volume only. Today it is all about controlling cost and keeping profits up.

          GM went broke building millions of sedans people were fleeing from. After the bail out they focused on the models people want and now are stable financially unlike some other car based brands.

          Note GM stock is not tanking Like Ford and they are not looking for a partner like FCA to survive,

          The bottom line is if you have to use all the numbers and criteria that the real executives have to use it is total logical to what they are doing.

          The stupidity is to continue to build or invest in segments that are in decline and are not making the most return on investment,

          Reply
        2. Joe Yoman
          I turned up the brightness on my screen, but it doesn’t seem to be helping your comments. Is there anything you can do to up the intelligence level on your end?

          Reply
      2. All of the stats you use are conveniently like 20% off in favor of what ever argument you’d like to make, the Nox has never sold 400,000 units, and never will. You are consistently incorrect.

        Reply
  2. This great car and soon the Malibu and Camaro will be gone but the tiny clown car they call Spark will remain. Yup shows the serious lack of leadership and common sense that continues to plague both GM and Ford!

    Reply
    1. Ci2eye
      Chevy Bolt sales were up by 36% in the 1st quarter.

      Reply
  3. The charger sells as well as it does because anyone with a pulse can qualify for credit on one.

    Reply
    1. The Charger sales are below 100k units. That is not good. But it is so old that it remains profitable.

      This is how they can discount it so much. But profits are limited.

      Reply
      1. But yet they being replaced by an AR/FCA platform, don’t know where you get this info on them getting a fwd platform to replace the Charger/Challenge/300. Plus if sedans sell so bad why GM developed VSS-R?, don’t insult us by saying Cadillac only when Cadillac don’t sell many sedans..

        Reply
    2. my brother out-law owns a 2014 Charger, and I have a 2014 Impala. He has replaced the brakes, all around, twice now, I have replaced the rear pads once but there were another 30k left on them. He is now replacing all of the connecting suspension linkage under the car plus he says the struts and shocks need replacing, he should know what he is talking about as he is a licenced mechanic and did this stuff for a career,plus he is my mechanic. He has also had it in the dealership shop at least a dozen times in relation to the computer system and bad codes. I had my system updated the day I purchased the car, as GM said the it required an “Update”.
      I am not a “Mechanic” or a vehicle designer, but I know for a fact that this year of Impala is one of the best built vehicles on the market, and the one that is worth every penny I spent on it. I have 139,000 Kms on it and I change the oil every 6,000 Kms, OR as the oil indicator system requests. I have test driven many, many other vehicles; Japanese, Korean, etc., and I still go back to my Impalas. I have owned an Impala since my first in 2005, plus I have always owned and driven a GM, since I was 16 years of age and my family has always own a GM vehicle. I was raised GM, as my Great Uncle owned the GM dealership in Houghton Lake, Michigan, USA for many years. I love my Impalas.
      It is a sad day that GM is giving up one of the most respected and loved cars of all times, the Chevy Impala.
      🙁

      Reply
  4. discontinued because of brain dead people trying to operate GM ,But here is a clue people your failing pushing buyers away

    Reply
  5. to bad people bought lesser cuv’s at a higher price

    Reply
  6. Killing off yet another heritage based car is yet one more nail in the coffin for GM. Legions of out of touch, seemingly clueless, and arrogant attitude decision makers over the past several years keep killing this once proud company that was always home to high styled and quality built American cars. Sorry to see this happening. At least the brass get their big pensions and bonuses….. 🙁

    Reply
  7. Mary frump Bara gm’s pall bearer.

    Reply
  8. I thought the Chevrolet Impala and the Buick LaCrosse were nice cars, the last of the big ones. I am surprised that the Impala sold less than the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Those haven’t been updated in a while, right? If that’s correct, it makes the failure of the public to appreciate the Impala and LaCrosse all the more puzzling.

    Reply
    1. They were great cars, The Lecrosse is one of the most under rated cars of our present time.

      But people are not into sedans in the lower priced segment. Even the Challanger and 300 are selling below 100K units even at steep discounts, They are not for long either.

      The Lecrosse had AWD and over 300 HP but they did not sell, They could have advertisers them every hour on the hour and they would have sat,

      Making a sport model and AWD to the Impala would have yielded the same result.

      Just look at any parking lot and nearly every vehicle is a SUV, CUV or truck.

      When I got my Bu I told my wife I feel like the odd one out as I am the only car in some rows you park in.

      We also have a CUV and truck and I can say the Bu may have been our last sedan anyways, It has a large trunk but you can’t get anything in though the small opening. Buy a TV and it will not fit.

      Reply
      1. For as many cuv’s, trucks and cars you have listed that you own over the years, you must have have a massive garage bvon. Truly impressive.

        Reply
        1. I own a Malibu, Canyon, Acadia and Fiero.

          Since 2000 I have also had a SSEI, GTP, HHR SS and a Terrain.

          Having 8 vehicles over 20 and owning 4 at a time is easily done.

          All were new accept the SSEI as it was a executive turn in car with low miles.

          Note I do have room to keep up to 7 cars under roof at home if I choose.

          Reply
    2. They never changed the style after it came out. If you bought a 2014 and a 2020 today there’s no difference. People want something that changes every so often. Plus they kept depleting the color options on the interior to where you could only get black.

      Reply
  9. Yup god awful decision by GM , they could have done a mid cycle enhancement and offered a sport edition to go up against the Charger and added another product to the Oshawa plant. Obviously people are buying the Charger for looks and pricing and GM lost a huge amount of future customers. And for clarity I am or was an Oshawa employee who retired out when the plant closed .

    Reply
    1. 2016 97,110
      2017 88,351
      2018 80,226
      2019 96,936

      Charger sales show here The impala people are not moving over, These are abysmal numbers for a volume sedan and they are some of the better full size numbers.

      So with stagnate sales over the last 4 years to say that GM is losing sales to FCM is a lie,

      300 is even worse

      2019 29.213
      2018 46.593
      2017 51.237
      2016 53.058
      2015 53.109
      2014 53.382
      2013 57.724

      Impala numbers tell it all.

      Year sold
      2005 246,481
      2006 289,868
      2007 311,128
      2008 265,840
      2009 165,565
      2010 172,078
      2011 171,434
      2012 184,684
      2013 156,797
      2014 140,280
      2015 116,825
      2016 97,006
      2017 75,877
      2018 56,557
      2019 44,978
      2020 4,966

      Lacrosse sales

      Year sold
      2005 92,669
      2006 71,072
      2007 47,747
      2008 36,873
      2009 27,818
      2010 61,178
      2011 58,474
      2012 62,304
      2013 48,798
      2014 51,468
      2015 42,035
      2016 27,582
      2017 20,161
      2018 15,527
      2019 7,241
      2020 138

      None of these numbers are good when they could sell a similar priced CUV at 400K units of a platform with several CUV models for many more models.

      Reply
      1. No argument with me , I agree with your numbers , the FCM plant in Brampton Ontario also builds the Challenger , any idea on those numbers ? It would be interesting to see the total #s for these three models vs the last year of Impala production. FMC must be doing something right ( other then discounting ) to keep that plant running with vehicles that supposedly nobody wants !

        Reply
        1. Challenger numbers.

          Year sold
          2008 17,423
          2009 25,852
          2010 36,791
          2011 39,534
          2012 46,788
          2013 51,462
          2014 51,611
          2015 66,365
          2016 64,478
          2017 64,537
          2018 66,716
          2019 60,997
          2020 12,138

          If you add up the three cars for 2019 you get about 180,000.

          How they can offer the discounts are because these are very old cars built on an old Benz design. The development work was paid for nearly 20 years ago.

          This is how they offer large discounts to where they can sell a 30” for the price of a Malibu.

          The profits are slim and with fleet sales even lower.

          They slap in a new interior and pop a supercharger on and stir up limited sales that get people to buy the discounted cars.

          On the other hand if a FCA had some decent CUV models one alone would sell twice as many vehicle in one form and leveraged over several platforms to reach over a half million sales.

          Then the discounts would be less and the profits much higher.

          But right now FCA only has good profits from Jeep and Ram. Hmm trucks and SUV models go figure…

          FCA is in a world of hurt trying to finalize the partnership with PSA as they are behind in EV models, Dodge and Chrysler could both be closed and do little to hurt the bottom line.

          It will be interesting to see if PSA rebadges their cars as Dodges. If not Dodge could go away easily.

          Sergio screwed Chrysler as he never invested in the car lines and today they are a shell of what they could have been.

          Imagine Jeep profits going to a Chrysler over Maserati and Alfa. Chrysler could have paid for Maserati and Alfa with CUV production.

          The bottom line on Chrysler RWD cars are they have flat lined or declined in sales and realize lower profits than they could have in other products.

          Reply
    2. My 2014 Impala was built at Oshawa. Thanks for all of your hard work there. My Impala has been and is a great car. In a few years I probably would have been interested in a new one. Sad that won’t be an option.

      Reply
      1. Thanks dmj , we tried like hell to keep the plant running with Impala or any other platforms that Detroit would give us . In the end it was all for nothing , we lost that plant and our award winning truck plant. We where all proud of the products we built over the years & thank you for supporting us with your 2014. Cheers from Oshawa.

        Reply
  10. Sedans are dead and or dying. Gm just got out when the getting was good. Other than handling or performance a sedan just cant compete with the versatility of an suv.

    Reply
    1. Except for sedans with hatchbacks, which have the handling, performance, and versatility. SUVs are absolutely luke warm soccer mom rides.

      Reply
      1. Worse, GM don’t even make them sporty just 6000 lb of iron to transport a 250 lb mom to one of the last Tupperware parties….

        Reply

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