Chevrolet Sonic sales decreased in the United States – the only market where the vehicle remains on sale – during the first quarter of 2020.
Chevrolet Sonic Sales - Q1 2020 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 4,341 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 3 percent compared to 4,460 units sold in Q1 2019.| MODEL | Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SONIC | -2.67% | 4,341 | 4,460 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Chevrolet Sonic sales performance in the first quarter places the subcompact model in third-to-last spot in its competitive set in terms of overall sales volume.
By comparison, roughly three times as many units of the Nissan Versa were delivered during the same timeframe, giving the vehicle a 27 percent segment share. The Nissan was followed by the Honda Fit in second place with 16 percent segment share, the Kia Rio in third with 15 percent and the Hyundai Accent in fourth with 11 percent. The Mitsubishi Mirage came in sixth place, one spot ahead of the Chevrolet Sonic, with each model securing a 10 percent segment share. The discontinued Ford Fiesta (see Ford Fiesta sales) came in eighth place with six percent share and the Toyota Yaris – a rebadged Mazda2 – was in last place with a 5 percent share.
Sales Numbers - Subcompact Mainstream Cars - Q1 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 20 / Q1 19 | Q1 20 | Q1 19 | Q1 20 SHARE | Q1 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN VERSA | -51.28% | 12,176 | 24,992 | 27% | 32% |
| HONDA FIT | +12.38% | 7,179 | 6,388 | 16% | 8% |
| KIA RIO | +17.13% | 6,845 | 5,844 | 15% | 7% |
| HYUNDAI ACCENT | -29.11% | 4,807 | 6,781 | 11% | 9% |
| MITSUBISHI MIRAGE | -25.57% | 4,646 | 6,242 | 10% | 8% |
| CHEVROLET SONIC | -2.67% | 4,341 | 4,460 | 10% | 6% |
| FORD FIESTA | -82.92% | 2,723 | 15,943 | 6% | 20% |
| TOYOTA YARIS | -69.39% | 2,416 | 7,894 | 5% | 10% |
| TOTAL | -42.54% | 45,133 | 78,544 |
The mainstream subcompact car segment contracted nearly 43 percent to 45,133 units in Q1 2020. As such, the Sonic outpaced the segment average during the quarter.
The GM Authority Take
Despite being in the red, Chevrolet Sonic sales performance during Q1 2020 was fairly decent considering the nameplate’s poor performance throughout the bulk of 2018, and every quarter of 2019, with the exception of Q4, which we attributed to an anomaly.
At first glance, it would appear that first quarter sales were not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – both in the areas of vehicle production and consumer demand.
While the Sonic initially launched to much fanfare and consumer interest as a highly-competitive model with a significant amount of ambition, excitement, and potential, all of those factors have dwindled over the course of the current model’s lifecycle. The product itself lost its competitive edge and many distinguishing characteristics as part of the 2017 facelift. Prior to the update, the Sonic enjoyed a unique and youthful position in its segment thanks to a one-of-a-kind persona afforded by a unique exterior design, with distinct and playful headlamps, gauge cluster, and other features.
Going forward, we predict that Sonic sales will continue to slide in 2020, unless GM refocused its attention on the space and introduced a revamped product. The possibility of that taking place is relatively small, as GM seems to be getting ready to discontinue the Sonic altogether in the not-too-distant future. The United States is currently the only remaining market where the Sonic is on sale after GM discontinued it in several key markets such as South America, Mexico, Canada, Korea and Australia.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Sonic sales for Q1 2019, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2020 and 76 selling days in Q1 2019
- GM Q1 2020 sales U.S.A.
- Chevrolet sales Q1 2020 U.S.A.
- Cadillac sales Q1 2020 U.S.A.
- Buick sales Q1 2020 U.S.A.
- GMC sales Q1 2020 U.S.A.
- GM Canada sales Q1 2020
- Chevrolet Canada sales Q1 2020
- Cadillac Canada sales Q1 2020
- Buick Canada sales Q1 2020
- GMC Canada sales Q1 2020
- GM Mexico sales Q1 2020
- GM Mexico sales January 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico January 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico January 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico January 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico January 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales February 2020 sales
- Chevrolet Mexico February 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico February 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico February 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico February 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales March 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico March 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico March 2020 sales
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- GM Mexico sales January 2020
- GM China sales Q1 2020
- Chevrolet China Q1 2020 sales
- Buick China Q1 2020 sales
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- GM Brazil sales Q1 2020
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- GM South Korea sales Q1 2020
- GM January 2020 sales South Korea
- Chevrolet January 2020 sales South Korea
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- GM Russia sales Q1 2020
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Comments
Well the Sonic is the longest running GM vehicle without significant changes, besides the Express van. It’s unfortunate that GM only offers the Trax and the Trailblazer as replacement options. I was optimistic that the new Trailblazer was going to be an intriguing option, but after a test drive the 1.3t proved to be not very competitive in this class. Hopefully the Malibu will still be offered in 2023 or the Trailblazer receives drive-train upgrades, otherwise GM will lose my business. If I was to go out and spend under 30k tomorrow on a new ICE car the only Chevy on the list would be a Malibu, and it’d be low on the list. GM loves to make high profits on their trucks and Cadillacs, but if they lose their customer loyalty by not offering competitive C segment cars who will remain to buy future trucks or luxury cars?
It is a shame. They could at least bring the Onix over and have it be the Onix, or bring the Onix over and have it be the new generation of the Sonic. Not everyone wants a CUV.
Soon your only choice of cars at GM will be the clown car Spark or the 60-85K high powered 2 seater Vette and possibly a 40-60K Cadillac sedan of some sort in the future. Such choice from the “profits above all else” division!
Right? Don’t forget that they’d love to sell you a $40k-75k truck or one of their 12-15 CUV models. I heard if you get an RS trim CUV it comes with black wheels and a blacked out bowtie, for just a $8k bump in MSRP… sooo cool. 🙄But the cars like the Cruze and Sonic, that breed loyalty, let’s just completely stop making those, and not offer any competitive replacements. Great business plan 👌It’s sad because as a GM enthusiast I can’t in good conscience recommend a single ICE car offer by GM for under 32k.
Another lost market segment , not the fault of Sonic, which is a very competitive car, but the fault lies with the parent (GM) for abandoning any marketing effort.
The Sonic really covers the subcompact and compact segments because it is a large B segment vehicle, it really slots in between cars like the Fiesta and the Focus. It is definitely no longer competitive with other C segment vehicles. Almost all other C class manufacturers, i.e. the Japenese, Koreans, and Germans, offer direct injection, a DCT, or both. The Sonic is just too old at this point and it’s current replacements in the GM lineup aren’t competitive either. For the price of a Trailblazer LT you could basically have a GTI, Mazda 3, midtrim Toyota Rav4, cx-30, cx-3, Kona, Sportage, Soul turbo, just to name a few. All of these options offer more powerful motors and some offer DCT. GM is really dropping the ball in this segment, but good luck growing market share.
I own a clown car Spark and i like it! Gets the job done! It’s not for everyone, but i have no complaints.
Spark is a great car, it proves you don’t need an suv to get things done.
This is what happens when a car manufacturer like GM shoves it down the public’s throat for three years that they’re discontinuing a product. Who’s gonna run out and support a product that’s perceived as dead? I own a Sonic LTZ and it’s a damn good little car. They’re doing the same thing to the Malibu and then act shocked and disappointed when the sales numbers tank quarter after quarter. Whatever GM…..whatever.
First, nobody knew that the Sonic was going to be discontinued until July, a far cry from three years. Here was the first report on the matter:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/07/the-chevrolet-sonics-days-are-numbered/
Second, news that the Sonic would be getting dropped is known by a select few who actually follow the industry. I would be willing to bet that nobody in mainstream circles (those people who actually buy the car en masse) know of its impending discontinuation.
I agree 100%. I have a 2017 Sonic and its really is a fine car. My wife likes it so much she wants another in a few years. I had to tell her GM doesn’t make them any more. GM’s marketing efforts are really poor. All I see on TV is ads for damn Toyotas, Subarus , Kias and Hyundais. The Japanese and Korean head offices would sell the rope to hang the American public, and the public will buy it.