Cadillac Escalade Sales Remain First Despite 56 Percent Drop In Q3 2020

Cadillac Escalade sales decreased in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea during the third quarter of 2020.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q3 2020 - United States

In the United States, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 4,538 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 56 percent compared to 10,284 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 43 percent to 15,093 units.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q3 2020 - Canada

In Canada, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 428 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 7 percent compared to 460 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 25 percent to 898 units.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q3 2020 - South Korea

In South Korea, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 78 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 32 percent compared to 115 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 38 percent to 157 units.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q3 2020 - Mexico

In Mexico, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 45 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 42 percent compared to 78 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 57 percent to 111 units.

Cadillac Escalade Sales - Q3 2020 - Russia

In Russia, Cadillac Escalade deliveries totaled 114 units in Q3 2020, an increase of about 68 percent compared to 68 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Escalade sales decreased about 17 percent to 359 units.

Competitive Sales Comparison (U.S.)

Despite the steep 56 percent decline in Cadillac Escalade sales during the third quarter, the full-size luxury SUV remained the best-selling model in its segment, with a dominant 40 percent segment share. The results enabled the Escalade to edge out the Lincoln Navigator (see Lincoln Navigator sales), which came in second place with 3,635 deliveries for a 32 percent segment share. The Infiniti QX80 took third place with 2,057 deliveries and 18 percent segment share, while the Lexus LX came in last place with 1,025 deliveries and 9 percent segment share.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - Q3 2020 - USA

The full-size luxury SUV segment contracted 41.52 percent to 11,255 units in Q3 2020, meaning that the 56 percent decline in Escalade sales significantly underperformed the segment average. In fact, the Escalade’s performance represented the steepest sales decline of all models in the segment.

Below, we’ve included sales figures for full-size luxury crossovers for the sake of reference. Though they differ mechanically from the aforementioned body-on-frame SUVs by having a unibody construction, they are typically cross-shopped and considered as alternatives. Currently, the only full-size luxury crossovers are the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and the new BMW  X7, though Audi is rumored to be working a future Q9.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury CUVs - Q3 2020 - USA

The GM Authority Take

While the Escalade outsold all of its direct rivals during Q3 2020, it did see sales slip more than all rivals during the quarter. We attribute the circumstance to significantly depleted inventories at the dealer level caused by the transition to the all-new, 2021 model.

It all started as far back as the second half of the 2019 calendar year, when the UAW labor strike sapped GM of approximate 40 days of Escalade production. The event depleted Escalade inventories in Q4 and going into Q1 2020. Just as Escalade inventories began to recover, the COVID-19 pandemic sapped GM another 60 days of Escalade production during the tail end of Q1 2020 and the majority of Q2 2020. The two events, together, were more than enough to significantly dampen on-the-ground Escalade inventory. But that’s not all.

The COVID shut down came in the midst of General Motors converting its Arlington Assembly plant to produce the all-new 2021 Escalade, delaying the launch of the 2021 model by several weeks. With neither the last-gen Escalade nor the all-new model rolling off the line, Escalade inventory and sales dwindled to minimal levels, with the fallout of the circumstances manifesting very clearly in Q3 2020.

Pre-orders for the 2021 Escalade began on April 23^rd and the all-new model has been rolling off the line for a healthy part of Q3 2020. Assuming no interruptions to production and supply, we expect Escalade sales to increase substantially in the coming quarters as the all-new model begins to arrive en masse at dealers.

About The Numbers

• All percent change figures compared to Cadillac Escalade sales for Q3 2019
• In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2020 and 76 selling days in Q3 2019
• South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
• Escalade and Escalade ESV model line break-outs contingent on data availability by market

GM Q3 2020 sales reports:

• GM Q3 2020 sales U.S.A.
  • Chevrolet sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
  • Cadillac sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
  • Buick sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
  • GMC sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
• GM Canada sales Q3 2020
  • Chevrolet Canada sales Q3 2020
  • Cadillac Canada sales Q3 2020
  • Buick Canada sales Q3 2020
  • GMC Canada sales Q3 2020
• GM Mexico sales Q3 2020
  • GM Mexico sales July 2020
    • Chevrolet Mexico July 2020 sales
    • Buick Mexico July 2020 sales
    • GMC Mexico July 2020 sales
    • Cadillac Mexico July 2020 sales
  • GM Mexico sales August 2020
    • Chevrolet Mexico August 2020 sales
    • Buick Mexico August 2020 sales
    • GMC Mexico August 2020 sales
    • Cadillac Mexico August 2020 sales
  • GM Mexico sales September 2020
    • Chevrolet Mexico September 2020 sales
    • Buick Mexico September 2020 sales
    • GMC Mexico September 2020 sales
    • Cadillac Mexico September 2020 sales
• GM China sales Q3 2020
  • Chevrolet China Q3 2020 sales
  • Buick China Q3 2020 sales
  • Cadillac China Q3 2020 sales
• GM Brazil sales Q3 2020
  • Chevrolet Brazil July 2020 sales
  • Chevrolet Brazil August 2020 sales
  • Chevrolet Brazil September 2020 sales
• GM Argentina sales Q3 2020
  • Chevrolet Argentina July 2020 sales
  • Chevrolet Argentina August 2020 sales
  • Chevrolet Argentina September 2020 sales
• GM South Korea sales Q3 2020
  • GM South Korea July 2020 sales
    • Chevrolet South Korea July 2020 sales
    • Cadillac South Korea July 2020 sales
  • GM South Korea August 2020 sales
    • Chevrolet South Korea August 2020 sales
    • Cadillac South Korea August 2020 sales
  • GM South Korea September 2020 sales
    • Chevrolet South Korea September 2020 sales
    • Cadillac South Korea September 2020 sales
• GM Russia sales Q3 2020
  • GM Russia sales July 2020
  • GM Russia sales August 2020
  • GM Russia sales September 2020