GMC Acadia Sales Place Mid-Pack During Q1 2021

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    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 12th 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:

    Acadia News

    All Acadia News

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    • — Francisco Cruz

    A life-long learner who prefers to use cars as vehicles.

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