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Chevy Traverse Sales Drop To Second-To-Last Place During Q3 2021

Chevy Traverse sales decreased in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea while increasing in Russia during the third quarter of 2021.

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 10,767 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 66 percent compared to 31,603 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Traverse sales increased about 12 percent to 94,198 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
TRAVERSE -65.93% 10,767 31,603 +12.12% 94,198 84,012

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q3 2021 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 688 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 65 percent compared to 1,953 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Traverse sales increased about 5 percent to 4,300 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
TRAVERSE -64.77% 688 1,953 +4.70% 4,300 4,107

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q3 2021 - South Korea

In South Korea, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 834 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 10 percent compared to 926 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Traverse sales decreased about 19 percent to 2,548 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
TRAVERSE -9.94% 834 926 -19.47% 2,548 3,164

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q3 2021 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 90 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 26 percent compared to 122 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Traverse sales increased about 2 percent to 293 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
TRAVERSE -26.23% 90 122 +2.45% 293 286

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q3 2021 - Russia

In Russia, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 66 units in Q3 2021, an increase of about 340 percent compared to 15 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Traverse sales increased about 34 percent to 175 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
TRAVERSE +340.00% 66 15 +33.59% 175 131

Chevrolet Traverse Sales - Q3 2021 - Colombia

In Colombia, Chevrolet Traverse deliveries totaled 63 units in Q3 2021.

In the first nine months of the year, Traverse sales totaled 165 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
TRAVERSE * 63 * * 165 0

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

The 66 percent decrease in Chevy Traverse sales during the third quarter of 2021 puts the large crossover in second-to-last place in its segment, outselling only the Mazda CX-9. Meanwhile, the Toyota Highlander led the pack in first, Ford Explorer (see running Ford Explorer sales) followed in second, and the Honda Pilot took third.

The Traverse undersold all other segment contenders during Q3 2021, including the Kia Telluride, Volkswagen Atlas (see running VW Atlas sales), Hyundai Palisade, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, and Dodge Durango.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Large Three-Row Crossovers - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER +5.99% 63,184 59,615 23% 19% +46.89% 207,564 141,301
FORD EXPLORER -29.00% 41,933 59,060 15% 19% -0.02% 160,174 160,209
HONDA PILOT +8.30% 38,107 35,187 14% 11% +27.40% 114,667 90,002
KIA TELLURIDE +19.05% 25,286 21,239 9% 7% +51.72% 70,724 46,615
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS -5.25% 22,918 24,189 8% 8% +65.99% 92,815 55,917
HYUNDAI PALISADE -12.25% 21,172 24,128 8% 8% +6.75% 64,673 60,583
NISSAN PATHFINDER +45.03% 15,333 10,572 6% 3% -23.02% 28,885 37,525
SUBARU ASCENT -20.44% 14,670 18,438 5% 6% -13.63% 43,043 49,835
DODGE DURANGO -9.03% 14,516 15,957 5% 5% +16.44% 52,931 45,456
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE -65.93% 10,767 31,603 4% 10% +12.12% 94,198 84,012
MAZDA CX-9 +22.60% 8,534 6,961 3% 2% +41.09% 28,799 20,412
TOTAL -9.95% 276,420 306,949 +21.04% 958,473 791,867

The Traverse held a 4 percent segment share during the quarter, down 6 percentage points year-over-year. The 4 percent share was well behind the 23 percent commanded by the Toyota Highlander and 15 percent represented by the Ford Explorer. The Honda Pilot held 14 percent, while all other competitors held a segment share of 9 percent or less.

Overall, 5 out of 11 models in the segment saw sales increase during Q3 2021. The large, mainstream three-row crossover segment contracted 10 percent to 276,420 units in Q3 2021, meaning Chevy Traverse sales significantly 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 crossovers, which are generally smaller than the Traverse, are often cross-shopped with larger models like the Traverse, and include:

  • Midsize crossovers that offer three rows of seating, 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 Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, GM’s own Chevy Blazer, and Hyundai Santa Fe.
  • Midsize and full-size crossover models that wear the same name, but whose sales are not broken out by their respective automaker, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep parent company, FCA Stallantis, does not individually report sales figures of the two-row Grand Cherokee vs. that of the three-row Grand Cherokee L since launching the overhauled 2022 model year.

Sales Numbers - Overlapping Crossover Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE +44.74% 81,704 56,447 +24.12% 189,727 152,856
HYUNDAI SANTA FE -1.65% 26,546 26,991 +27.32% 89,656 70,420
FORD EDGE -40.50% 15,596 26,211 -28.51% 54,951 76,862
KIA SORENTO -38.57% 13,942 22,696 +2.91% 62,255 60,492
NISSAN MURANO -17.58% 12,268 14,884 -12.42% 39,287 44,859
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER +33.81% 10,602 7,923 -9.33% 21,277 23,467
CHEVROLET BLAZER -64.44% 10,484 29,486 -29.45% 50,339 71,356
GMC ACADIA -48.13% 9,457 18,231 +8.84% 55,679 51,159

The GM Authority Take

The decline in Chevy Traverse sales during the third quarter of 2021 is the direct result of a non-existent supply of the vehicle at the dealer level. The low supply levels are the direct result of the GM Lansing Township plant in Michigan being idled for several months so far in 2021 as the General Motors grapples with ongoing disruptions to its supply chain. One of these is a shortage of microchips, which GM is handling by allocating the components to its most lucrative product lines like full-size pickups and SUVs.

Luckily, Traverse production came back online on October 4th after several delays. As a result, we expect Traverse supply to improve during the second half of Q4 2021. It would not be out of the realm of possibility to expect a sales rebound shortly thereafter.

Notably, Traverse received a midcycle for the 2022 model year that consists 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 for the 2021 model year. In fact, Chevy even announced the updated model for the 2021 model year in March 2020. However, complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic caused the update to be pushed back by one model year, so the Traverse refresh now launches as the 2022 Traverse. The updated model should give the Traverse a stronger presence in the segment.

However, increased competition from new entries, such as the all-new Nissan Pathfinder along with the still-fresh Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander will continue to pose challenges.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevy Traverse sales for Q3 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2021 and 77 selling days in Q3 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.
GM Q3 2021 sales reports:

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Comments

  1. I will say, I see lots of traverses in driveways, but very few on lots. It’s a popular vehicles with its owners.

    Reply
    1. Well, I’m happy for Durango. It’s an old model but still great.

      Reply
  2. Lots are barren. Like empty.

    Reply
  3. You have to have them to sell them. I normally am driving my new one in September.

    Reply
  4. Seriously, who buys Explorers? Easily the worst of all these SUV’s listed.

    Reply
  5. I’m looking at a mid size , It’s a crowded segment for 3 rows , some name plates I didn’t even bother to look at . the 4runner ,grand Cherokee ,explorer , Durango are only true 4wd not car based wagons left

    Reply
  6. I guess you don’t want to show the selling price in each of these countries ?
    I know my Chevy Volt cost $80,000 in China, Japan, Uk etc while we are GIVING them $7500 and more for them to dump elec cars in the US…
    But I now this isn’t important info when you are talking the number of sales …

    Reply
  7. I see alot of VW and Korea twins. Traverse owners keep theirs – no new inventory to trade…

    Reply
  8. The reason sales are low is because they can’t make them fast enough. I just totaled my 2020 that I absolutely loved and have to wait a month to replace it with a 2022 and there are no 2021s to buy. I would says its a very popular vehicle regardless of what sales show.

    Reply
  9. Why would the Traverse get a sales bump? It has a class-worst interior at this point (which the MCE failed to do ANYTHING about), they dropped the two-speed AutoTrac AWD transfer case that helped give it some competitiveness in the segment, and even with one of the best engines on paper in its class, it’s still only rated to tow 5,000 lbs (probably due to the weak-sauce transmission), when the Pathfinder, Explorer, Grand Cherokee L, and Durango are rated for more.

    The only reason to buy a Traverse right now is if you need lots of space, but can’t stomach a minivan.

    This comes from a lifelong GM owner and current 2014 GMC Acadia owner who would like to upgrade, but is finding it hard to swallow GM prices for a lagging and non-competitive vehicle in its class.

    Reply
  10. I love my new 2021 Chevy traverse very roomy very nice ride..found mine in Arlington Texas .will say this is my first big vehicle I’ve every drove however but still love..

    Reply

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