GMC Acadia Sales Place Mid-Pack During Q1 2021

April 14, 2021 10:53 am

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

GMC Acadia Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

In the United States, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 19,956 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 13 percent compared to 17,686 units sold in Q1 2020.

MODEL	Q1 2021 / Q1 2020	Q1 2021	Q1 2020
ACADIA	+12.84%	19,956	17,686

GMC Acadia Sales - Q1 2021 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 1,031 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 22 percent compared to 844 units sold in Q1 2020.

MODEL	Q1 2021 / Q1 2020	Q1 2021	Q1 2020
ACADIA	+22.16%	1,031	844

GMC Acadia Sales - Q1 2021 - Mexico

In Mexico, GMC Acadia deliveries totaled 136 units in Q1 2021, a decrease of about 20 percent compared to 170 units sold in Q1 2020.

MODEL	Q1 2021 / Q1 2020	Q1 2021	Q1 2020
ACADIA	-20.00%	136	170

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

GMC Acadia sales performance in Q1 2021 kept the midsize crossover in 12^th place out of 20 segment rivals in terms of overall sales volume. The Acadia was outsold by the segment-leading Ford Explorer (see running Ford Explorer sales), Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Acadia’s corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Traverse – which rides on a longer version of the C1 platform used by the Acadia (see running Chevy Traverse sales). The Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas (see running VW Atlas sales), Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Edge (see running Ford Edge sales), Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Dodge Durango also outsold the Acadia.

However, the GMC outsold the remaining segment contenders, including the Kia Sorento, the Acadia’s other corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Blazer (see Chevrolet Blazer sales), Subaru Ascent, Honda Passport, Nissan Murano, Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales), Nissan Pathfinder, and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Sales Numbers - Midsize & Full-Size Mainstream 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	13%	12%
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER	+33.29%	63,831	47,890	12%	10%
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE	+10.21%	55,198	50,083	11%	11%
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE	+26.39%	38,037	30,095	7%	7%
HONDA PILOT	+31.61%	31,451	23,898	6%	5%
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS	+98.09%	30,520	15,407	6%	3%
HYUNDAI SANTA FE	+38.30%	28,570	20,658	6%	4%
FORD EDGE	-25.17%	22,150	29,599	4%	6%
KIA TELLURIDE	+29.88%	21,854	16,826	4%	4%
HYUNDAI PALISADE	+29.84%	21,207	16,333	4%	4%
DODGE DURANGO	+15.47%	20,560	17,805	4%	4%
GMC ACADIA	+12.84%	19,956	17,686	4%	4%
KIA SORENTO	+9.24%	19,724	18,055	4%	4%
CHEVROLET BLAZER	-13.00%	19,265	22,144	4%	5%
SUBARU ASCENT	-7.37%	14,473	15,624	3%	3%
HONDA PASSPORT	+48.22%	11,610	7,833	2%	2%
NISSAN MURANO	-26.53%	11,523	15,683	2%	3%
MAZDA CX-9	+30.02%	9,386	7,219	2%	2%
NISSAN PATHFINDER	-50.78%	8,905	18,092	2%	4%
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER	-67.94%	4,106	12,809	1%	3%
TOTAL	+12.50%	517,570	460,049

Overall, the Acadia saw a segment share of 4 percent, equal to that of a year ago. That’s significantly lower than the 13, 12 and 11 percent share of the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, respectively.

The mainstream crossover segment, comprised of crossover SUVs with a starting price in the vicinity of $30,000, expanded 12.5 percent to 517,570 units in Q1 2021, meaning that the 13 percent growth in Acadia sales just barely out-performed the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

The 13 percent increase in GMC Acadia sales during the first quarter of 2021 follows a 10 percent increase during the fourth quarter of 2020, a 10 percent drop in the third quarter of 2020, a 46 percent drop in the second quarter of 2020, and a 43 percent drop in the first quarter of 2020. It’s worth noting that the 2019 calendar year was very lucrative for the midsize crossover, as the Acadia saw a record-setting sales performance in the first quarter of 2019, along with a healthy increase in Q2 as well as in Q3.

It’s encouraging to see GMC Acadia sales during Q1 2021 outperform the segment average, while placing roughly mid-pack in the segment. As such, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that the supply-related issues that plagued most GM models in 2020 were resolved for Q1 2021.

It’s also worth noting the possibility that GMC Acadia sales are seeing internal cannibalization from other GM crossovers such as the new Chevrolet Blazer – which the Acadia outsold by a mere 691 units. However, a GM official recently dismissed this notion. Another possibility is that the Chevrolet Traverse might be cannibalizing Acadia sales. Like the Acadia, the Traverse offers three rows of seating, though with substantially more room.

The Acadia received a refresh for the 2020 model year, bringing redesigned front and rear ends, along with a new 2.0L LSY turbo engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, a new AT4 trim level to replace the All Terrain model, and several other enhancements and updates. The 2021i (2021 interim) model year then brought about a reconfiguration of various packages and options to make the vehicle more affordable.

Meanwhile, the already-competitive mainstream crossover segment continues getting increasingly more crowded with all-new offerings such as the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and the Volkswagen Atlas Sport Cross – a two-row version of the existing VW Atlas. One could say that, without substantial discounts/incentives for the Acadia, these new competing models present better values. All three models, for instance, feature more powerful engines as standard when compared to the 2.5L four-cylinder that serves as the base engine in the Acadia. Luckily, GM is considering deleting the base 2.5L engine for the 2022 model year.

Assuming constant availability and no disruptions in supply, we expect Acadia sales to continue at their current pace slightly better. However, increased internal and external competition will continue to exert pressure on the GMC offering.

About The Numbers

All percent change figures compared to GMC Acadia sales in Q1 2020, unless noted otherwise
In the United States, there were 74 selling days for Q1 2021 and 76 selling days for Q1 2020

GM Q1 2021 sales reports:

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