Landed, or on-the-ground, inventory of the 2021 Chevy Equinox at Chevrolet dealers was running at 71 days as of early January, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with GM’s go-to-market plans.
This is not particularly great news. 71 days is nearly a fortnight longer than the 60 days considered optimal in the U.S. auto industry. Anything significantly longer than that suggests over-supply, or low demand, or a combination of the two.
A brief glance at GM’s sales figures for 2020 could make one doubt that low demand had anything to do with it. With 270,994 sales, the Chevy Equinox retained its position as the second most popular model offered by Chevrolet or GM as a whole in the U.S.. The Chevy Silverado pickup truck found more than twice as many customers, at 594,094, but the Equinox was ahead of the Silverado’s corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra, which achieved 253,016 sales.
However, the 270,994 Equinox deliveries amounts to a 22 percent decline in sales compared to the 2019 calendar year, when it outsold the Sierra by over 120,000 units. Back then, there would have been little need to mention the two vehicles in the same sentence when discussing sales figures.
There could be several reasons for the decline of the Chevy Equinox. One is that the mid-cycle enhancement (MCE) intended for the 2021 model year had to be pushed back due to complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which also affected many other GM models. The MCE – which included updates to the front and rear fascias, enhancements to the range-topping Premier trim level and the introduction of a new trim level called RS – will now apply to the 2022 Equinox, which is scheduled to go on sale in the second half of 2021. It’s entirely possible that some customers may be waiting for this to happen before making a purchase.
Others may be waiting for a more powerful Equinox. As exclusively reported by GM Authority in July of last year, Chevrolet dropped the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG unit, which produces 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, leaving the considerably less powerful 1.5L I4 LYX, which makes 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, as the only engine in the range. At the time, GM told us that the LTG represented only 7 percent of total Equinox sales volume
But as GM Authority was first to report last year, a turbocharged 2.0L gasoline engine will make its way into the Equinox model line, but it will be in the form of the 2.0L I4 LSY gasoline engine. The optional four is expected to arrive as part of the MCE for the 2022 model year, and will not be available in the 2021 Equinox.
Yet another factor is that the Chevy Equinox faces strong internal competition – not just within GM but within its own brand – in the shape of the Chevy Blazer and Chevy Trailblazer crossovers.
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Crossovers - 2020 - USA
MODEL | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | YTD 20 SHARE | YTD 19 SHARE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EQUINOX | -21.69% | 270,994 | 346,048 | 54% | 66% |
TRAILBLAZER | * | 34,292 | 0 | 7% | 0% |
TRAX | -9.00% | 106,299 | 116,816 | 21% | 22% |
BLAZER | +62.78% | 94,599 | 58,115 | 19% | 11% |
TOTAL | -2.84% | 506,184 | 520,979 |
Neither of these has yet approached the Equinox in terms of raw sales volume, but the Blazer experienced explosive growth of 63 percent in 2020, and landed inventory was running at just 28 days as of the beginning of January. Demand for the Trailblazer is exceeding supply by a factor of four, which has led Chevrolet to cut production of the Trax (a similarly-sized vehicle of a much older design) by 30 percent in 2021 so that it can build more Trailblazers.
It is possible that sales of the Equinox will recover when the update arrives. Until then, GM’s goal, GM Authority has learned, is to sell down as much Equinox inventory as it can. It would be no surprise if this included substantial discounts in the coming months.
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Comments
Oh well they shouldn’t of dropped the 2.0T gonna be a long few months
My wife has a 2016 Equinox and has loved the size. She doesn’t want to go smaller or bigger. She is hoping the next generation Equinox will grow back up.
Big fan here of the Equinox .Definitely needs a big engine option.Hybrid option would be great too.
When I was looking into getting an suv I didn’t get the Equinox the seats were so hard and uncomfortable. I got
the Hyundai Santa fe sport, those seats were extremely comfortable.
I just test drove one the other day. I am smitten.
It’s because they are junk. Mine lasted for 101,329 miles. It blew a front differential, cracked the transmission case and then the timing chain gave all in 6 months time.
I have had 3 of them and they are wonderful. Just because you had a problem doesn’t make them junk.
Michael S: True, and we don’t know about the service/upkeep Ryan’s had. Maybe it was well taken care of and just decided to dump after such a low 101,329 miles (sarcasm). My point is that even with good upkeep, when any car gets to 101K, it’s going to need some things. It just makes me laugh when people seem to think that a car must go 150K or even 200K with zero issues. That’s not realistic for any brand.
Os corallas são piores que as Equinox, duração da vida útil de qualquer carro depende de como você dirige o dos cuidados que você tem com o carro.
I’ll be the first to say I have zero ability to read/speak Spanish. Here is the translation I got from Jose Luiz’s post:
“As they are better than Equinox, the duration of the useful life of any car depends on how you direct the two care you use as the car.”
Jose Luiz JANUARY 26, 2021 AT 12:31 PM
The corallas are worse than the Equinox, lifespan of any car depends on how you drive the care you have with the car. THIS IS WHAT IT TRANSLATES TO.
Competition from CUVs like the new Nissan Rogue and the lack of Chevy Equinox commercials could be the problem.
Sales are down everywhere but are picking up. They do have a lot of competition, however when the MCE is for sale and the RS package is out they won’t be able to keep these in stock. The RS will probably be the top seller it definitely looks very nice.
Of course all this only happens if the economy stays steady or continues to grow. All those people not working then they start working will once again will make vehicle sales grow.
I went out last month to look and possibly buy a new Chevy Equinox to replace my older one. I was excited to purchase it and couldn’t wait to see the new ones. It only took me a few minutes of going through one to realize the changes they made would not work for me. A few of the biggest changes they made that sealed the “no deal” for me….. The side panels on the door for storing things is now so small you could only put a water bottle in it. Not nearly enough room to put in daily things I use like gloves, flashlight, misc., and a water bottle. The smaller gas tank. I love being able to go on trips with fewer fillups on the way. Although the numbers show the cargo space is close to comparable with the older models, I beg to differ. I parked my current Equinox next to a new Equinox. The cargo length and space is not near what is in my older 2011 model. I need every inch of space I currently have for work projects, not less. I do not want to go to a bigger model of Chevy as it wouldn’t be necessary had they not made the cargo space so much smaller.
Chris: being in sales, I run into this a lot (more years ago when in actual sales vs. being in fleet department now). The problem is that many people become comfortable in their old cloths. Using the metrics you are talking about, it may be near impossible to find that perfect new vehicle. Some times things change and you just need to roll with it. Maybe try the Blazer? Or the new Envision?
I’ve found things to be much the same. Going from one SUV to another just recently and nothing wrong with either one. It’s just people and their perceptions or pet peeves that need adjusted or gotten over.
I went from two of the old body style Terrains to a new Equinox and was concerned about the smaller size initially but have been more than happy with the change. Performance is better. Mileage is better. Lots more features that I want and appreciate, especially the safety ones. One of the things that I appreciate the most — and wasn’t conscious of at the time — is the smaller turning radius. Any loss in cargo area generally hasn’t been a big factor for me although I use all the space quite often
I have a 2019 Equinox Redline with the 2.0T/9 spd and I love it. I really like the look of the new RS, but I will probably go to a bigger vehicle this fall, like the Blazer RS or the refreshed 2022 Traverse/Enclave. Chevy should have kept the 2.0T instead of the 1.5T with the 6 spd…my mom had that engine combo in her 2019 Equinox and it was a dog. The 80hp difference is noticeable. When they dropped the higher hp engine, I am sure that hurt sales. In my area (Michigan), I am seeing more and more Blazers and Traverses and not so much of the Equinox and Trailblazer. I am sure things will get back on track when the new model comes out, but for the same money, you could get a nicely loaded Envision ST…the redesign Buick did was spot on…it is a sharp little crossover and it has the 2.0T with a 9 spd as its only engine /tranny option.
Two things that come up for me here. First, doesn’t the Equinox just seem a tad high priced? Sure, you can get a basic one for an MSPR around $25,000. But put any options on it and it jumps up to the high 30’s fast. Just like where I’m selling now at the Volvo and Mazda store, the CX5 is fine for a sub $29,000 car. Anything above that and it’s a joke compared to others out there. I’d take the Volvo XC40 base over a loaded CX5 in a heartbeat. I think the Equinox has the same issues and needs the MSRP’s to come down.
Second, I’m not sure anything from any brand will stabilize until we get Covid under control. Where I’m at, our business is all over the place and nothing seems stable.
You are right, the Equinox is over-priced. My 2019 Redline is considered a 2LT and had a sticker for almost $36K (not AWD and had cloth seats). The new Blazer’s come with a V-6 and are priced similarly in the mid-upper $30’s. I have seen Premier Equinox’s with AWD sticker close to $40K. The Equinox usually has good rebates or the leases are really low which is what makes it popular. I had a choice to get a 2020 Blazer, but I was comparing lease payments and the Equinox was cheaper at the time, especially since mine was one of the few 2019’s that the dealer had.
While the MSRP is definitely overpriced compared to the competition, they are priced with the understanding that there will be “sales”. I bought my Chevy Equinox Premiere MSRP $41000, for $32000 due to a dealer discount. I didn’t have to haggle at all to get that price!
WAINE HERE. FROM CANADA .. BOUGHT MY NEW 2010 TERRAIN SLT2 IDEC. 99 . STIILL RUNNING GREAT . 135000 KLMS . BROBUBLY BECAUSE IT WAS MADE IN CANADA . NOT MEXICO . GMC .. General MEXICAN CRAP . JUST SAYING . JUST LOOK AT AII THE RECALLS . QUALITY .. ? MISSING BOLTS WRONG PARTS ETC ETC . CHEESR
Hello Chevrolet. Just wanted to add my 2 cents; I have a2016 Equinox LT AWD, and Love it. Have to admit I baby it , but the 2.4 engine has great power, fuel economy is great, cabin is quiet & very comfortable, will definetly buy another. Am honking now of trading in , while value is still high. Would buy another in a heart beat, my opinion, they are just as good, probably Better than the competition. Regardless of what the car magazines say. They Always bash American cars.
I love my Chevy i have a full equip 2016 sunroof and all I dont like the new ones, the only thing i wish it had was rear air vents if I ever decide to change it, it would be for a Volkswagen SUV they are beautiful, spacious and has rear vents.
I just purchased a 2010 Chevy Equinox. It threw a A Rod. I paid 4000 for it used. Its not a year old
You are right, a 2010 Equinox is not a year old, it’s 11 years old
I have driven couple of Chevy Equinox I was really impressed by the comfort,ride,a really peppy vehicle,Love the Cajun Red Exterior color.Ive owned several Chevrolets hope some day to own a Equinox.