Chevy Sonic sales decreased in the United States – the only market where the vehicle remains on sale – during the second quarter of 2020.
Chevrolet Sonic Sales - Q2 2020 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Sonic deliveries totaled 2,111 units in Q2 2020, a decrease of about 48 percent compared to 4,024 units sold in Q2 2019.In the first six months of the year, Sonic sales decreased about 24 percent to 6,452 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2020 / Q2 2019 | Q2 2020 | Q2 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONIC | -47.54% | 2,111 | 4,024 | -23.95% | 6,452 | 8,484 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Chevy Sonic sales performance during the second quarter places the subcompact model in third-to-last place in its competitive set in terms of overall sales volume.
By comparison, the Nissan Versa saw roughly four times as many deliveries at 7,666 units, while the Honda Fit sold about three times as many units at 6,708. The Kia Rio came in third with 4,902 units while the Hyundai Accent was in fourth with 3,487 units. The Chevy Sonic outsold the Toyota Yaris, which had 1,313 sales, as well as the discontinued Ford Fiesta, which saw 434 deliveries (see Ford Fiesta sales).
Sales Numbers - Subcompact Mainstream Cars - Q2 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q2 20 / Q2 19 | Q2 20 | Q2 19 | Q2 20 SHARE | Q2 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN VERSA | -67.66% | 7,666 | 23,708 | 29% | 28% | -59.26% | 19,842 | 48,700 |
| HONDA FIT | -37.70% | 6,708 | 10,768 | 25% | 13% | -19.05% | 13,887 | 17,156 |
| KIA RIO | -25.75% | 4,902 | 6,602 | 18% | 8% | -5.62% | 11,747 | 12,446 |
| HYUNDAI ACCENT | -57.08% | 3,487 | 8,125 | 13% | 10% | -44.36% | 8,294 | 14,906 |
| CHEVROLET SONIC | -47.54% | 2,111 | 4,024 | 8% | 5% | -23.95% | 6,452 | 8,484 |
| TOYOTA YARIS | -85.02% | 1,313 | 8,763 | 5% | 10% | -77.61% | 3,729 | 16,657 |
| FORD FIESTA | -98.13% | 414 | 22,173 | 2% | 26% | -91.72% | 3,157 | 38,116 |
| TOTAL | -68.39% | 26,601 | 84,163 | -57.11% | 67,108 | 156,465 |
From a segment share standpoint, the Versa and Fit commanded 29 and 25 percent, respectively. The Rio followed with 18 percent and the Accent took 13 percent. The Chevy Sonic took 8 percent, Yaris had 5 percent, and Fiesta had 2 percent.
The mainstream subcompact car segment contracted 68 percent to 26,621 units in Q2 2020, meaning that Chevy Sonic sales fell slower than the segment average.
The GM Authority Take
Chevy Sonic sales outperformed the segment during the second quarter of 2020, with sales falling slower than the segment average. Three models suffered greater losses than the Sonic during the three-month period, including the segment-leading Nissan Versa, Hyundai Accent, and Toyota Yaris.
While the Sonic initially launched to much fanfare and consumer interest as a highly-competitive model with a significant amount of character, excitement, and potential, all of those factors have dwindled over the course of the 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 position in the segment thanks to a one-of-a-kind persona, which was afforded by a unique exterior design, with distinct and playful headlamps, gauge cluster, and other features.
Since then, GM has gradually lost its position in the segment, gradually removing the vehicle from various global markets. In fact, the United States is currently the only remaining market where the Sonic is on sale after GM scrapped it in South America, Mexico, Canada, Korea and Australia. Additionally, GM recently confirmed that the Sonic will be discontinued at the end of October 2020, something GM Authority was first to report.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevy Sonic sales for Q2 2019, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q2 2020 and 77 selling days in Q2 2019
- GM Q2 2020 sales U.S.A.
- Chevrolet sales Q2 2020 U.S.A.
- Cadillac sales Q2 2020 U.S.A.
- Buick sales Q2 2020 U.S.A.
- GMC sales Q2 2020 U.S.A.
- GM Canada sales Q2 2020
- Chevrolet Canada sales Q2 2020
- Cadillac Canada sales Q2 2020
- Buick Canada sales Q2 2020
- GMC Canada sales Q2 2020
- GM Mexico sales Q2 2020
- GM Mexico sales April 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico April 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico April 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico April 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico April 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales May 2020 sales
- Chevrolet Mexico May 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico May 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico May 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico May 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales June 2020
- Chevrolet Mexico June 2020 sales
- Buick Mexico June 2020 sales
- GMC Mexico June 2020 sales
- Cadillac Mexico June 2020 sales
- GM Mexico sales April 2020
- GM China sales Q2 2020
- Chevrolet China Q2 2020 sales
- Buick China Q2 2020 sales
- Cadillac China Q2 2020 sales
- GM Brazil sales Q2 2020
- GM Argentina sales Q2 2020
- GM South Korea sales Q2 2020
- GM South Korea April 2020 sales
- Chevrolet South Korea April 2020 sales
- Cadillac South Korea April 2020 sales
- GM South Korea May 2020 sales
- Chevrolet South Korea May 2020 sales
- Cadillac South Korea May 2020 sales
- GM South Korea June 2020 sales
- Chevrolet South Korea June 2020 sales
- Cadillac South Korea June 2020 sales
- GM South Korea April 2020 sales
- GM Russia sales Q2 2020
- GM Russia sales April 2020
- GM Russia sales May 2020
- GM Russia sales June 2020
Comments
The auto business is a strange one as sales for the Chevrolet Sonic suffer in the second quarter of 2020 and this because the car’s design is old and boring or the simple fact that people prefer small CUV like the Chevrolet Trax.
Wow. I don’t know what’s more sad. The overall state of sales of all brands in this segment or the fact that the dead-man-walking Sonic still performed that well in this segment! Just look at those numbers. Versa down nearly 60%. The Sonic was almost 60% of the Fit sales, yet you wouldn’t find an advertisement for the Sonic anywhere. The dealers refuse to stock them. GM announces to the world that it’s dead. It hasn’t been updated in 3 years. And yet in the face of all that, it still musters about 6,500 sales for the YTD.
I still feel GM needs to bring the Onix to the states to replace the Sonic and maybe even still call it the Sonic here. Keep the Spark at the entry level city car. Onix/Sonic as one step up. Malibu as the mainstream sedan and make it truly competitive. Have those three “cars” and then let Chevrolet concentrate on the SUV/CUV/Truck market from there.
I sort of still disagree about bringing the Onix to the US. If you look at comparable vehicles like the Accent, Rio and Yaris they are on pace to sell like 60k combined units this year. I guess if you could undercut the pricing of those entry level vehicles it might be worth it, but why bother, just to sell like 10-20k units per year. The spark is still competitive enough. If GM does offer a sedan/ hatchback style vehicle in this space it should be based on the new VSS-F platform so it can stay relevant for a decade like the Sonic did.
Not that my analysis even matters because the Onix won’t becoming to the US market either way. GM should be focusing on making the VSS-F more competitive across the board in the subcompact+/compact segment, that’s where buyers are looking. The Kona and Seltos are crushing sales right now, it’s a little hard to find third party sources with GM’s actual sales of Trailblazer’s and Encore GX’s.
I agree with your analysis of the Onix. I’ve said the same thing. When they get the Onix plant built in Mexico, it won’t be long before they start bringing them over the border. The Sonic failed because GM failed to keep it updated and really wasn’t very innovating in design or function….
Based on various interviews with executives, GM has never planned to sell Onix in U.S. or Canada. The vehicle, as it sits, would not pass crash worthiness.
All of that could change, but that’s the most current information.
Dan – a healthy chunk of those “healthy” Sonic sales were to daily rental fleets. Typically, these deals barely break even.
There’s very little interest in the Sonic at the retail level, likely as a result of factors like lack of promotions, lack of major interest in this vehicle type, and little inventory.
Thanks Alex. That sounds correct based on past sales, etc. Funny thing, I was looking for quite some time for a Sonic hatch premium in that cool blue or white before picking up the 2020 Spark 1LT SE. I just couldn’t find one.
$17K for the sedan and $20K for the hatch … to start???? gm is out of its mind.