mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Chevy Corvette Sales Dominate With 51 Percent Market Share During Q1 2021

Chevy Corvette sales increased in the United States while decreasing in Canada and Mexico during the first quarter of 2021.

Chevrolet Corvette Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Corvette deliveries totaled 6,611 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 73 percent compared to 3,820 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
CORVETTE +73.06% 6,611 3,820

Chevrolet Corvette Sales - Q1 2021 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Corvette deliveries totaled 281 units in Q1 2021, a decrease of about 2 percent compared to 288 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
CORVETTE -2.43% 281 288

Chevrolet Corvette Sales - Q1 2021 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Corvette deliveries totaled 36 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 140 percent compared to 15 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
CORVETTE +140.00% 36 15

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

The healthy double-digit jump in Chevy Corvette sales in the U.S. during Q1 2021 enabled the perennial sports car to remain the best-selling model in its class. In fact, the Corvette outsold all other rivals combined, including the Porsche 911, Porsche 718 (née Cayman/Boxster), Mercedes-AMG GT, Mercedes-Benz SL, Mercedes-Benz SLC, Audi R8 (see running Audi R8 sales), Nissan GT-R, Ford GT (see running Ford GT sales), Acura NSX and BMW i8.

Sales Numbers - Premium Sports Cars - Q1 2021 - USA

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET CORVETTE +73.06% 6,611 3,820 51% 43%
PORSCHE 911 +7.41% 2,782 2,590 22% 29%
PORSCHE 718 +276.51% 1,506 400 12% 4%
MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GT +25.34% 1,212 967 9% 11%
MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS -22.44% 311 401 2% 4%
MERCEDES-BENZ SLC-CLASS -52.75% 198 419 2% 5%
AUDI R8 +52.58% 148 97 1% 1%
NISSAN GT-R -13.76% 50 58 0% 1%
FORD GT -58.23% 33 79 0% 1%
ACURA NSX -50.00% 17 34 0% 0%
BMW I8 -87.86% 8 66 0% 1%
TOTAL +44.17% 12,876 8,931

The performance represents an improvement over the similarly-impressive figures in Q3 2020 as well as Q4 2020. During both quarters, the Corvette accounted for over 50 percent segment share. However, as we typically note, most contenders in this segment cost significantly more than the Corvette and naturally see lower sales volumes as a result.

Corvette managed to grow its segment share to 51 percent from 43 percent a year ago. The second-place Porsche 911 – the most cross-shopped rival with the C8 – accounted for roughly a third as many sales with 22 percent segment share, down from 29 percent in the year-ago quarter. The Porsche 718 line, comprised of the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster, followed in third place with a 12 percent segment share, up from 4 percent a year ago. The Porsches were followed by a trio of Mercedes models with 9, 2, and 2 percent share each. All other models, including the Audi R8, Nissan GT-R, Ford GT, Acura NSX, and BMW i8, each saw a segment share of 1 percent or less.

The premium sports car segment expanded an average of nearly 44 percent to 12,876 units in Q1 2021, meaning that Corvette sales outpaced the segment roughly two-fold.

2020 Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe

2020 Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe

The GM Authority Take

The substantial growth in Chevy Corvette sales during the first quarter of 2021 continues to be welcome news, since the last-generation model – the Corvette C7 – has been out of production since November 2019, while the launch of the new-generation 2020 Corvette C8 got off to quite a rocky start.

First, production was delayed due to the UAW strike toward the end of the 2019 calendar year. Then, once production commenced, it was paused shortly thereafter due to the coronavirus outbreak, preventing GM from building enough units to generate any substantial sales volumes or fulfilling reservations and orders. Specifically, the Corvette C8 began arriving at dealers in limited quantities in March and the COVID-19 pandemic caused production to be idled about a week thereafter, with less than 3,000 units of the C8 produced.

C8 production started back up in mid-May 2020, but very few units actually ended up making it to dealerships and into customers’ hands by the time the second quarter of 2020 ended. This combination of events, combined with substantial pent-up demand, enabled the Corvette to post such impressive sales figures for Q1 2021, along with the final two quarters of 2020.

2020 Corvette C8 Stingray Convertible

2020 Corvette C8 Stingray Convertible

With interest in the new mid-engine Corvette at an all-time high, most C8 Corvette buyers being new to the Chevy brand, and transaction prices at all-time highs, we expect Chevy Corvette sales to continue increasing in a steady fashion, so long as production continues uninterrupted at the GM Bowling Green plant that assembles the vehicle, and at the GM Tonawanda Engine plant, which assembles the 6.2L V8 LT2 engine used in the C8 Stingray. As of this writing, C8 production is holding steady at 186 cars per day.

Better still, the Corvette C8 success story has just begun, given that all other high-performance variants are still in the works – including the C8 Z06, C8 E-Ray, C8 ZR1 and C8 Zora. Once these models launch over the next couple of years, we expect Corvette sales to further improve their dominance over the competition.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevy Corvette sales for Q1 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • There were 74 selling days in Q1 2021 and 76 selling days in Q1 2020
  • Corvette sales figures include all Corvette body styles, variants, trim levels and packages
  • Sales figures for Lotus, Jaguar and Maserati not available as those manufacturers do not break out information on a model basis
[nggallery id=1065]

GM Q1 2021 sales reports:

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. I can see how GMA editors having a hard time to identify C8’s rivals after all it’s a mid-engine supercar gives the 488 performance but starts at 60K! You have to include both price range and performance equivalents then you ended up with an odd list that include people’s sports car four cylinder porche 718 and collector’s item 600K street legal race car Ford GT that you have to qualify to buy.

    Reply
    1. I can see you don’t really know what you’re talking about.
      Porsche 911 is the number one cross-shopped car to the Corvette. The 718/Boxster/Cayman changes between being second and third with the Mercedes.

      This segment is not as cut-and-dry as some might think so I appreciate GMA including the greater cross section. It delivers a big picture scenario. Looks like some people don’t understand what big picture looks like. You should just change your name to “dumb, confused and uninformed”. It would suit you better

      Reply
      1. Definitely not cut and dry at all, as Ford would say it’s Mustang GT 500 is in the same class as it has more horsepower, even though it’s a “muscle car.” The 911 has been the traditional nemesis of the Vette, but now is way out the Vettes price range, though it’s still in the performance class. Definitely not a reason to call someone dumb.

        Reply
      2. Jake,You are a brainwashed biased person who is not open to solid and fair competition … Open up and enjoy the stream of life !!!

        Reply
    2. commas are your friend

      Reply
  2. I want to get a three year old or so C8 Convertible in the Future.

    Reply
    1. My current Corvette is a 25 year old1996 C4… Hopefully I will live another 25 years so I can get a C8 at a reasonable price, but at age 74, I probably won’t be able to get in or out of a Corvette in 25 years!

      Reply
  3. Every Corvette C8 is known to start at $ 60,000, but customers pay $ 90,000 for a C8 Corvette with extras. When you consider that the C8 is sold right away at these high prices, this is great. A Porsche 911 or Ford GT are not necessarily comparable because they are overpriced and actually no comparable production cars like the Corvette C8. The Porsche 718 are not comparable with the small four-cylinder either, but because of the excessive price. The other vehicles listed are discontinued models from the manufacturers.
    Conclusion: The Corvette C8 is the best sports car at a reasonable price with great technology. That is a very good thing. Thank you GM.

    Reply
  4. I just heard over the weekend that my local Chevrolet Dealership is charging a $30,000 premium on all new C8 Corvettes. Is it just me or does that seem unreasonable to anyone else. On one hand I can understand it, but on the other I think its bad business. I anxious to hear other thoughts on the subject.

    Reply
    1. My dealer in Estero Florida only charges a $499.00 dealer fee and the salesman Frank Koehler tracked my c-8 all through the build process and kept me well informed. I knew exactly when my car was coming into the dealership. I was able to be at the dealership and get pictures of the car coming off the trailer. The best part is no premium fees, just great service.

      Reply
      1. Jerry
        What’s the name of the dealer in Estero?

        Reply
        1. Estero Bay Chevrolet (239)908-2600. Frank Koehler is a supper salesperson and a very good guy. They are a high volume dealer. Nine Corvettes came into the dealership with mine. He will take great care of you. Lots of luck.

          Reply
  5. What about Lotus sales?

    Reply
  6. Sales??? Exactly WHERE are the Chevrolet dealerships where all these C8s are hiding, awaiting buyers? This car is non-existent anywhere within 200 miles of my location.

    Some of the stuff posted on this site by gm as ‘news’ is becoming more and more unbelievable each day.

    Reply
    1. It’s called factory ordering a car.

      When a car is “ordered” the consumer specifies the vehicle and puts down a deposit. The vehicle is then produced by the factory exactly to the specification and shipped. When the dealer receives it, it is immediately delivered to the consumer without being put into inventory.

      As such, when vehicles are in high demand or have limited production, enthusiasts tend to order their vehicles.

      Reply
  7. Frank – Yes, some dealers are charging more than MSRP on C8 – but many are not. If you look at used many are going over MSRP as well. I have no issue with this..Supply and Demand. If you where going to sell your house and someone was willing to give you 2x as much as it is worth would you say no?

    Reply
  8. Canada is getting less cars , that is why sales are down. I ordered a 2020,early 2020, ( February ) but got moved to a 2021. Now my dealer says , they will not even get their allotment, which is between 7 and ten , again, for 2021. They got 3 for 2020 and 3 for 2021and no more coming in !!!!!!!! So now I have to wait for a 2022 because he has 5 people ahead of me , left. This is bad customer service on part of GM. We all know Americans will get them first but this is ridiculous . They are screwing over their dealerships and salesmen, in Canada. This is one reason why Canadians buy more foreign cars now. Only good news, is by July 26th ,they are adding another shift, so more production , for 2022s. So even if my dealer gets 5 2022s in autumn , that would be a miracle, I still get mine only for spring . They do not ship Vettes to Canada in winter.

    Reply
  9. So with the old folk retirements and transplants from NY to FL they need their chariots. Of course we can’t forget about Las Vegas strip club owners wanting one ….🙂🙃🙂…

    Reply
  10. I put in a comment , so where is it?

    Reply
  11. Hi Wayne.
    Sorry to hear about you not getting to even order your build yet.
    We found a dealer that had more than 20 allocations for 2020 and we were on that list.
    We finally got ours built and is on it’s way soon ( we hope ) it’s a 2021 and a year behind schedule but we’ll be happy when it arrives… There’s many of them for sale on ebay and other sites and you can probably get one for less there than you’ll be able to once 2022 rolls around… I’m sure the prices will be up a bit by then.
    Best of luck

    Reply
  12. Looking for a comment by Chuck.

    Reply
  13. Well I just bought a full load, 2016 3lt z51, with only 10,000 kms on it . I have been watching YouTube videos and it sounds like a great car. My salesman, for my C8, told me it just came in. So this is my car, while my dealer and I wait for the C8s to start coming in. At this rate it will be 2023s ! But if no more delays and an extra shift at the plant , coming this summer, I should be inline for one by next spring. Thank you Chuck for your comments and encouragement, if your comments do not seem to be here but got them as an e-mail.

    Reply
  14. WOOOOOHHH GM BEST BROO. BEEEESSTTT BRRROO.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel