Chevy Sales Lag Behind Ford By Nearly 70K Units In Q1 2021

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One of the longest-running rivalries in the auto world is that of Chevrolet vs. Ford. The contention is alive and well to this day, with the two American automobile brands battling it out in many segments and markets, both at home and elsewhere around the world. One of the more simple ways to determine which of the two legendary marques is coming out ahead in the rivalry is by raw sales figures, and that’s what we’ll do here today for the first quarter of 2021.

During that timeframe, total Chevy sales in the U.S. market fell nearly 2 percent to 427,950 units. Meanwhile, Ford brand sales grew 1 percent to 495,924 units.

Sales Results - Q1 2021 - USA - Chevrolet

MODELQ1 2021 / Q1 2020Q1 2021Q1 2020
BLAZER-13.00% 19,26522,144
BOLT EV+53.67% 9,0255,873
CAMARO-1.34% 7,0897,185
COLORADO+12.38% 24,08321,430
CORVETTE+73.06% 6,6113,820
EQUINOX-13.93% 63,21873,453
EXPRESS+26.81% 16,87713,309
IMPALA-90.69% 4624,965
LOW CAB FORWARD+10.38% 957867
MALIBU-23.51% 26,98735,283
SILVERADO-12.54% 126,591144,734
SONIC-75.47% 1,0654,341
SPARK+23.02% 11,5059,352
SUBURBAN+17.36% 11,1439,495
TAHOE+12.91% 23,03820,403
TRAILBLAZER+834,033.00% 25,0243
TRAVERSE+26.39% 38,03730,095
TRAX-39.97% 16,95528,242
CHEVROLET TOTAL-1.72% 427,950435,422

The Chevy Silverado was the highest-selling model for the Bow Tie brand, netting 126,591 units. Comparatively, the most popular Ford model was the F-Series with 203,797 deliveries during the quarter.

Sales Results - Q1 2021 - USA - Ford

MODELQ1 2021 / Q1 2020Q1 2021Q1 2020
BRONCO SPORT* 23,356*
E-SERIES+4.70% 10,57310,098
ECOSPORT-0.35% 12,87812,923
EDGE-25.17% 22,15029,599
ESCAPE-14.81% 40,99048,117
EXPEDITION+12.50% 22,26319,790
EXPLORER+15.87% 65,24456,310
F-SERIES+9.24% 203,797186,562
FIESTA-94.72% 51966
FUSION-78.64% 7,88936,937
GT-58.23% 3379
HEAVY TRUCKS+111.13% 3,6231,716
MUSTANG-4.40% 17,27418,069
MUSTANG MACH-E* 6,614*
RANGER+15.19% 24,16620,980
TRANSIT-25.48% 27,45136,836
TRANSIT CONNECT+0.77% 7,6237,565
FORD TOTAL+1.05% 495,924490,769

Meanwhile, the Chevy vehicle to experience the highest growth was the Trailblazer, moving from 3 units sold in Q1 2020 to 25,024 units in Q1 2021. That substantial jump in sales volume is the result of the Trailblazer just beginning to launch during the first quarter or 2020. For Ford, Heavy Trucks (F-650 and F-750) experienced the largest gain, growing 111 percent to 3,623 units.

Car Sales

Chevy outsold Ford in the passenger car department during Q1 2021.

Chevy car sales in the U.S. market fell 17.3 percent to 53,719 units, while Ford car sales fell 54.3 percent to 25,196 units. While Chevy sold more than twice as many cars as Ford, it’s worth noting that Chevy also offers a much broader car lineup than Ford. Specifically, the Bow Tie brand currently offers the Camaro, Corvette, Spark and Malibu while Ford only offers the Mustang and GT supercar, having discontinued such models as the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Taurus.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Cars - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET CAMARO -1.34% 7,089 7,185 13% 11%
CHEVROLET CORVETTE +73.06% 6,611 3,820 12% 6%
CHEVROLET SPARK +23.02% 11,505 9,352 21% 14%
CHEVROLET SONIC -75.47% 1,065 4,341 2% 7%
CHEVROLET MALIBU -23.51% 26,987 35,283 50% 54%
CHEVROLET IMPALA -90.69% 462 4,965 1% 8%
TOTAL -17.29% 53,719 64,946

The Corvette and Spark were the only Chevy cars to record a growth in sales volume, while all other models, including the remaining Ford models, experienced a decline. The Impala and Fusion, both discontinued, saw the largest drops of 91 and 79 percent, respectively.

Sales Numbers - Ford Cars - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
FORD MUSTANG -4.40% 17,274 18,069 69% 33%
FORD FUSION -78.64% 7,889 36,937 31% 67%
FORD GT -58.23% 33 79 0% 0%
TOTAL -54.26% 25,196 55,085

Crossover Sales

The story is quite a bit different when it comes to crossovers, with Chevy and Ford crossover sales being very close during Q1. Chevy crossover sales grew more than 7 percent to 171,524 units compared to a 17 percent gain to 171,232 units for Ford. So, Chevy sold more CUVs than Ford, but only by 292 units.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Crossovers - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET BOLT EV +53.67% 9,025 5,873 5% 4%
CHEVROLET TRAX -39.97% 16,955 28,242 10% 18%
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER +834,033.00% 25,024 3 15% 0%
CHEVROLET EQUINOX -13.93% 63,218 73,453 37% 46%
CHEVROLET BLAZER -13.00% 19,265 22,144 11% 14%
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE +26.39% 38,037 30,095 22% 19%
TOTAL +7.33% 171,524 159,810

Once again, the Trailblazer led the way for Chevy branded crossovers in terms of posting the biggest growth rate, while the Equinox was first in total number of units sold. Meanwhile, the Explorer was the only Ford crossover to experience a growth in sales volume, while also being The Blue Oval’s best-seller at 65,244 units.

Sales Numbers - Ford 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 38% 38%
FORD ESCAPE -14.81% 40,990 48,117 24% 33%
FORD BRONCO SPORT * 23,356 * 14% 0%
FORD EDGE -25.17% 22,150 29,599 13% 20%
FORD ECOSPORT -0.35% 12,878 12,923 8% 9%
FORD MUSTANG MACH-E * 6,614 * 4% 0%
TOTAL +16.52% 171,232 146,949

SUV Sales

Chevy was the undisputed best-seller in (body-on-frame) SUVs during the first quarter of 2021, outselling Ford by a healthy margin.

Sales Numbers - Chevy SUV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET TAHOE +12.91% 23,038 20,403 67% 68%
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN +17.36% 11,143 9,495 33% 32%
TOTAL +14.33% 34,181 29,898

The Tahoe and Suburban combined for 34,181 units sold, up more than 14 percent compared to the first quarter of 2020. Although Ford Expedition sales lagged behind with 22,263 units sold, the nameplate still posted an increase of 12.5 percent.

Sales Numbers - Ford SUV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
FORD EXPEDITION +12.50% 22,263 19,790 100% 100%
TOTAL +12.50% 22,263 19,790

Truck Sales

The circumstance changes when it comes to pickup trucks, with Chevy falling to Ford in terms of cumulative sales volume. In total, Chevy sold 150,674 pickup trucks, down more than 9 percent compared to Q1 2020, while Ford sold a total of 227,963 units, for a gain of nearly 10 percent.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Truck Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET COLORADO +12.38% 24,083 21,430 16% 13%
CHEVROLET SILVERADO -12.54% 126,591 144,734 83% 87%
CHEVROLET LOW CAB FORWARD +10.38% 957 867 1% 1%
TOTAL -9.22% 151,631 167,031

The Ford F-Series retained its title as America’s best-selling pickup truck, with a commanding 203,797 units sold compared to the Chevy Silverado‘s 126,591 units sold. Additionally, Ford Ranger sales increased outpaced those of the Chevy Colorado, though only by 83 units.

Sales Numbers - Ford Truck Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
FORD RANGER +15.19% 24,166 20,980 11% 10%
FORD F-SERIES +9.24% 203,797 186,562 89% 90%
TOTAL +9.84% 227,963 207,542

Van Sales

With only one offering the van segment, Chevy was outsold by Ford nearly three-fold.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Van Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET EXPRESS +26.81% 16,877 13,309 100% 100%
TOTAL +26.81% 16,877 13,309

The Express totaled 16,877 units for a 27 percent increase in sales volume, while the total number of Ford van units decreased by 16 percent to 45,647.

Sales Numbers - Ford Van Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
FORD TRANSIT CONNECT +0.77% 7,623 7,565 17% 14%
FORD TRANSIT -25.48% 27,451 36,836 60% 68%
FORD E-SERIES +4.70% 10,573 10,098 23% 19%
TOTAL -16.24% 45,647 54,499

The Ford Transit Connect and E-Series both experienced a small increase in sales, while Transit sales decreased by over 25 percent.

EV Sales

When singling out vehicles that offer electric powertrains, the win goes to Chevy, courtesy of the Bolt EV, which sold 9,025 units for a 54 percent increase.

Sales Numbers - Chevy EV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
CHEVROLET BOLT EV +53.67% 9,025 5,873 100% 100%
TOTAL +53.67% 9,025 5,873

Comparatively, the new-to-market Mustang Mach-E sold 2,411 less units, though the results are still impressive for the nameplate’s first-ever sales performance.

Sales Numbers - Ford EV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
FORD MUSTANG MACH-E * 6,614 * 100% NAN%
TOTAL * 6,614 *

Overall, the Ford brand sold 67,947 more units than Chevy during the first quarter of 2021, mostly as a result of higher truck sales. However, it’s worth noting that General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC) sold more vehicles than the Ford Motor Company (the Ford brand plus Lincoln) during the same timeframe. To wit – GM posted 642,250 deliveries to Ford’s 521,334 units.

About The Numbers

GM Q1 2021 sales reports:

Sales News

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    29 Comments

    1. C8.R says:
      June 19, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      But the important thing through the virus and chip issues who is showing more profit?

      GM really worked hard on focusing chips to the highest profit vehicles did that work?

      Reply
    2. fastyle says:
      June 19, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      Here we go again with the segregation!

      widget Manufacturer A has 5 divisions and each sells 2 widget
      widget Manufacturer B has 2 divisions and each sells 4 widget
      Which Mfr. is doing better?

      First Quarter 2021 Sales
      GM USA TOTAL +3.87% 642,250 – gmauthority
      FMC USA TOTAL +0.97% 521,334 – fordauthority

      👋
      🎤

      Reply
    3. Shockandawe says:
      June 19, 2021 at 2:28 pm

      Just another reason gm emblem is lowercase!

      Reply
    4. Richard says:
      June 19, 2021 at 5:14 pm

      You can’t sell out of an empty wagon.

      Reply
    5. Mike says:
      June 19, 2021 at 6:15 pm

      Can’t sell as well without proper marketing and brand imaging. At least I haven’t seen any of those real people commercials lately.

      What’s also hurting is the number of lifter failures in the new truck engines. They need to step up their game in the reliability department.

      Reply
    6. What happened to GM? says:
      June 19, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      It is horrifying & unbelievable to lifelong GM loyalists how bad the new vehicles look.
      Also I’m ignoring the terrible new logo design.
      I’ll have to look elsewhere for my future purchases as the current lineup is disgusting except for corvette.

      Reply
      • Dan says:
        June 19, 2021 at 7:43 pm

        You need your eyes checked because they look awesome.

        Reply
        • Defdog says:
          June 20, 2021 at 7:33 am

          I seriously think they look awful. That HD truck doesn’t have one good angle. Front is horrible, back is bad and sides are not good. They do have an optional trailer camera view system that is pretty nice, for an extra 7 grand.

          Reply
      • A says:
        June 20, 2021 at 6:48 am

        The Corvette, back end is as ugly as they come they need to take a lesson from Europe’s cars. Jonny come lately to this group. Should have stuck with the C7 with a few changes and kept the Corvette look an not a copy of someone else. Always chasing the big dogs, like Allante, Reata, XLR, and on and on. GM is no Mercedes and never will be. Stick to what you know, cheap crap for the trying to be’s .

        Reply
      • Steve Colmar says:
        June 29, 2021 at 3:09 pm

        Chevrolet in particular has it’s best line up since the early 1970s with Trailblazer and Traverse being standouts. The same is true of Cadillac no matter how much I wish a reskinned CT6 were sold.
        It’s difficult to compare Chevy and Ford because GMC is used to move trucks and SUVs. The same can be said regarding Stellantis dealers.

        Reply
    7. Richard P says:
      June 19, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      Top 4 selling Chevies:

      Silverado
      Equinox
      Traverse
      Malibu

      Strangely enough, it doesn’t feel like the Equinox and the Malibu are getting much attention despite being quite popular.

      Reply
    8. Shockandawe says:
      June 19, 2021 at 9:19 pm

      Cheap, crappy interiors in the trucks didn’t help.

      Reply
    9. bubbaq says:
      June 20, 2021 at 3:44 am

      I will not buy a vehicle unless GM becomes more inclusive. I want a trans, binary, mulatto, LatinX, non white male toxic building my car.

      Reply
    10. A says:
      June 20, 2021 at 6:40 am

      You know why, GM doesn’t care about it customers, what they want, who they are, nothing just buy me because I’m GM, General Mess. Keep Mary Barra great choice, NOT.

      Reply
    11. K B says:
      June 20, 2021 at 7:20 am

      The 8 speed transmission debacle is hurting sales and reputation. Fix or replace the damn thing. Stop screwing your loyal customers.

      Reply
    12. CKN says:
      June 20, 2021 at 8:43 am

      With availability sporadic due to chip shortages-one cannot really compare sales volumes right now. Customers are buying whats available,. Things would be different if inventory levels were normal.

      Reply
    13. Crystal Sinks says:
      June 20, 2021 at 9:39 am

      Im 4o. And when i grew up it was chevy all the way. By far chevys were made a lot better than fords. Then i bought a 2013 captiva and the motor blew at 130 thousand miles. Never threw a check engine light ot check oil light. Mechanics would change the oil on time and say its low. You cant do that with a bunch of chevy models now since they are so sensitive. Now the good money i paid on a car needs a 6000 dollar engine. Its in great condition otherwise. But chevy got their money so blames their consumers for not doing something right. You made a crappy design and its a common thing for the motor on a captiva to blow at them miles and many have the same problem. Our fault though for hard working poeple who do what their supposed to but still get blamed for their recent crappy engineer designs. But they got their money. Now people see why they gotta go ford or more than likely foreign since foreign cars are holding for over 200000 to 300000 miles. Chevy only cares about their pocket books now instead of the consumer.

      Reply
    14. Dan says:
      June 20, 2021 at 10:02 am

      “Design Flaws” without customer satisfaction turn customers off. “Slipping and Jerking transmissions” only to be told “It’s normal” turns customers away. Ten years of the same old Flap Grille” without change turn customers away. Over priced vehicles turn customers away. Foreign built Chevrolet’s turn customers away. Lower case gm is losing customers. Bring back General Motors to the United States. They were once a proud manufacturer.

      Reply
    15. StuartH says:
      June 20, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      Car Sales wrap-up showing Chevy outgunning Ford was incomplete – no Bolt EV nor Mach-E numbers, which if included would have made the gap increase slightly.

      Reply
      • Bolt says:
        June 22, 2021 at 4:23 pm

        For some reason the Bolt was classified as a SUV, and the Mach-E is also a SUV.
        MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE

        CHEVROLET BOLT EV +53.67% 9,025 5,873 5% 4%

        FORD MUSTANG MACH-E * 6,614 * 4% 0%

        Reply
    16. Jack Holliday says:
      June 20, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      fords are good, just never did like them, owned and drove many a Chevrolet, never spent a dollar in a Chevrolet except for gas and routine maintenance

      Reply
    17. Tom says:
      June 20, 2021 at 10:40 pm

      GM used to be the go to vehicles. 🍎 pie and Chevrolet.. See the USA 🇺🇸 in your Chevrolet. I Remember every year growing up my dad used to buy a new car 🚗 Impala and next year a new Chevrolet pickup.

      Reply
    18. CHRISTOPHER CENCI says:
      June 21, 2021 at 4:43 am

      At this point my 26 and 24 year old children do not even consider one GM brand for lease or purchase. They currently drive a Kia and Jeep. In fact since the demise of Pontiac I haven’t purchased or leased a GM product either-and I previously had 6 my last being a 2008 Pontiac G8. With most of the production being off shore I no longer feel the desire to be a loyal GM customer. Things do change.

      Reply
      • Mark R says:
        June 21, 2021 at 8:19 am

        CC,
        I totally agree with your comment. Well written!
        My kids also didn’t care for the Chevy car line-up and went over to Jeep and Tesla.
        Growing up, our household always bought GM product, starting small and moving up the product line.
        However, the last Chevy pickup I looked at was over $40k – from Mexico! Sad. Not the way I want to spend my hard-earned American money.
        Still hoping GM (opps! gm) finds it way, and brings back a fully American made car line-up… at least in one division.

        Reply
    19. Anónimo says:
      June 21, 2021 at 5:56 am

      Let me see if I get this straight.

      GM outsold FMC.
      Chevy outsold Ford in cars sales.
      Chevy outsold Ford in SUVs sales.
      CUVs sales is a virtual tie (with a slight advantage to Chevy)
      Midsize trucks sales is a virtual tie.
      Ford outsold Chevy (by far) in full size trucks sales, as it has been happening since forever. This with a recently refreshed F150 and a much needed and anticipated refresh of the Silverado coming in the next months.

      So why has this article been framed in such a defeatist way? I said it before and I’ll say it again: this site is run by Ford fanboys.

      Reply
    20. Gaddy1 says:
      June 21, 2021 at 6:33 am

      So they are comparing one division in GM, to an entire car company????

      Reply

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