Chevy Traverse sales increased in the United States and Canada, yet decreased in South Korea and Mexico during the first quarter of 2021.
Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 38,037 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 26 percent compared to 30,095 units sold in Q1 2020.| MODEL | Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE | +26.39% | 38,037 | 30,095 |
Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q1 2021 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 1,657 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 45 percent compared to 1,139 units sold in Q1 2020.| MODEL | Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE | +45.48% | 1,657 | 1,139 |
Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q1 2021 - South Korea
In South Korea, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 761 units in Q1 2021, a decrease of about 29 percent compared to 1,069 units sold in Q1 2020.| MODEL | Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE | -28.81% | 761 | 1,069 |
Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q1 2021 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 101 units in Q1 2021, a decrease of about 9 percent compared to 111 units sold in Q1 2020.| MODEL | Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE | -9.01% | 101 | 111 |
Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)
The increase in Chevy Traverse sales during the first quarter of 2021 keeps the large crossover in third place in its segment by sales volume, behind the Ford Explorer in first (see running Ford Explorer sales) and the Toyota Highlander in second. The 26 percent increase in Traverse sales during Q1 2021 follows a 23 percent increase in Q4 2020, 23 percent decline in Q3 2020, 42 percent drop in Q2 2020, 12 percent drop in Q1 2020, 15 percent drop in Q4 2019, 25 percent growth in Q3 2019, slight growth in Q2 2019, and a 10 percent decline in Q1 2019.
The Traverse outsold all other segment contenders during Q1 2021, including the Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas (see running VW Atlas sales), Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Dodge Durango, Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-9, and Nissan Pathfinder.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Large Three-Row Crossovers - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | +15.87% | 65,244 | 56,310 | 20% | 21% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | +33.29% | 63,831 | 47,890 | 20% | 18% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | +26.39% | 38,037 | 30,095 | 12% | 11% |
| HONDA PILOT | +31.61% | 31,451 | 23,898 | 10% | 9% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | +98.09% | 30,520 | 15,407 | 9% | 6% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | +29.88% | 21,854 | 16,826 | 7% | 6% |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | +29.84% | 21,207 | 16,333 | 7% | 6% |
| DODGE DURANGO | +15.47% | 20,560 | 17,805 | 6% | 7% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | -7.37% | 14,473 | 15,624 | 4% | 6% |
| MAZDA CX-9 | +30.02% | 9,386 | 7,219 | 3% | 3% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | -50.78% | 8,905 | 18,092 | 3% | 7% |
| TOTAL | +22.59% | 325,468 | 265,499 |
The Traverse held a 12 percent segment share during the quarter, behind the 20 percent commanded by both the Ford Explorer (which includes the Police Interceptor Utility) and Toyota Highlander each. The Honda Pilot held 10 percent, while all other competitors held a segment share of 9 percent or less.
Overall, nine out of 11 models in the segment saw sales increase during Q1 2021. The two models that saw sales decrease were the Subaru Ascent and Nissan Pathfinder, being in the red 7 percent and 51 percent, respectively.
The large, three-row crossover segment expanded nearly 23 percent to 325,468 units in Q1 2021, meaning Chevy Traverse sales slightly outperformed the segment average.
For informational and comparative purposes, we are also providing sales figures for midsize crossover models that overlap with large crossovers like the Traverse – either in price or seating capacity. These smaller crossovers are often cross-shopped with full-size crossovers like the Traverse, and include:
- Midsize crossovers that offer three rows, such as the GMC Acadia (see GMC Acadia sales), Kia Sorento, and Mitsubishi Outlander
- Midsize crossovers with two rows of seating sold at a similar price point to the Traverse, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer, and Hyundai Santa Fe
Sales Numbers - Overlapping Crossover Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | +10.21% | 55,198 | 50,083 |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | +38.30% | 28,570 | 20,658 |
| FORD EDGE | -25.17% | 22,150 | 29,599 |
| GMC ACADIA | +12.84% | 19,956 | 17,686 |
| KIA SORENTO | +9.24% | 19,724 | 18,055 |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | -13.00% | 19,265 | 22,144 |
| NISSAN MURANO | -26.53% | 11,523 | 15,683 |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | -67.94% | 4,106 | 12,809 |
The GM Authority Take
The continued rise in Chevy Traverse sales during the first quarter of 2021 is welcome news and a reassuring sign of momentum following a turbulent sales performance throughout most of the 2020 calendar year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which negatively impacted both customer demand as well as supply.
The faster-than-average decrease in Traverse sales volume during Q3 2020 was attributable to supply issues associated with the vehicle not having fully recovered from the 40 day-long UAW strike during Q4 2019, followed by the two month-long production stoppage caused by COVID-19. As such, we believe that more stable inventory was responsible for the sales uptick during the final quarter of 2020 as well as during the first quarter of 2021.
2022 Chevy Traverse refresh
Looking ahead, we expect Chevy Traverse sales to continue growing. The model will soon receive a midcycle refresh, consisting of new front and rear fascias as well as several updates throughout the cabin. The refresh, known as a Mid-Cycle Enhancement (MCE) within GM, was initially planned and announced for the 2021 model year. However, complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic caused the update to be pushed back by one model year, so the Traverse refresh will now launch as the 2022 Traverse.
On the other hand, increased competition from new entrants, such as the new Kia and Hyundai offerings as well as the new Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander will make growing a challenge.
2022 Chevy Traverse refresh
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevy Traverse sales for Q1 2020, unless noted otherwise
- In the United States, there were 74 selling days in Q1 2021 and 76 selling days in Q1 2020
- For Explorer sales figures are comprised of the Ford Explorer and its police-duty variant, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility. In previous quarters, Police Interceptor Utility sales were reported as a separate line item, but Ford is now folding its sales into the Explorer line item.
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Comments
Isn’t it funny how hard the car magazines all rant and rave and gush over anything Mazda, and yet people still don’t want them
BobBiggity: I work at a Volvo/Mazda store. I’m in the CX3, CX30, CX5 and CX9 all the time. The magazines (and now Consumer Reports) can gush all they want. They certainly aren’t anything special in any way. I’d take a Equinox any day over the CX5. The Encore or Trax before the CX30. The CX9 is the nicest of all the Mazda’s, but it’s certainly not the first choice I’d take in the above segment. For me it would be the Durango first.
Are any Explorer sales retail? I don’t know that I’ve see one without POLICE badging.
I see so many new Explorers in Ohio.
I share your sentiment Michael.
Ford Explorer is #1 in the segment and probably #1 in reatail.
Just an FYI Michael. Toyota and Honda sell a lot of vehicles to governments. Especially in hillbilly Marysville, OH.
Nobody here buys the explorer. It’s all gov. Highlanders I see a lot of as Camry buyers love upgrading after seeing Chevy owners in their traverses. It’s a shame to see the traverse in 3rd given it started the 3 row crossover segment. (Explorer doesn’t count as it used to be a rugged BOF SUV like the old trailblazer, then Ford neutered it to compete with the traverse)
Pretty impressive. Especially given that the Traverse is now one of the older vehicles in this segment and still holding strong. With the upcoming refresh this trend will easily continue.
Jeffery Barr:
If Explorer were #1 @ retail I think Ford would say so. Ford depends more on fleet business than GM. As it is, Ford mentions Fleet percentages only when they fall.
Classic GM authority not paying attention.
The Chip shortage has caused the Chevy Traverse to stop production for over a week.
Each additional week of shutdown = lower traverse inventory and sales.
All these brands will see a slump the 2nd quarter and maybe the 3rd also. Nobody is able to produce enough vehicles right now for the buying public because of a plastic/resin shortage and chip shortage.