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Buick Encore Sales Drop To Bottom Of Segment During Q3 2021

Buick Encore sales decreased in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during the third quarter of 2021.

Buick Encore Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

In the United States, Buick Encore deliveries totaled 4,012 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 64 percent compared to 11,143 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Encore sales decreased about 46 percent to 19,267 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
ENCORE -64.00% 4,012 11,143 -45.59% 19,267 35,414

Buick Encore Sales - Q3 2021 - Canada

In Canada, Buick Encore deliveries totaled 402 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 80 percent compared to 1,967 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Encore sales decreased about 73 percent to 1,535 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
ENCORE -79.56% 402 1,967 -72.52% 1,535 5,585

Buick Encore Sales - Q3 2021 - Mexico

In Mexico, Buick Encore deliveries totaled 287 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 11 percent compared to 323 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Encore sales increased about 2 percent to 740 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
ENCORE -11.15% 287 323 +1.93% 740 726

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

The Buick Encore sales performance during Q3 2021 places it 18th out of 20 entries.

The Honda HR-V led the pack, posting a 48 percent increase in sales volume. It was followed by the Encore’s corporate cousin, the Chevy Trailblazer in second with 147 percent growth to 25,531 units, along with the Jeep Compass in third with a 19 percent decline to 23,875 units. Kia Soul took fourth with a 1.3 percent growth to 21,565 units and the Nissan Kicks in fifth with a 6 percent growth at 20,773 units. All other entries, including the Encore, posted less than 20,000 deliveries.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Subcompact 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
HONDA HR-V +48.40% 36,957 24,904 14% 9% +70.55% 105,398 61,799
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER +147.35% 25,531 10,322 10% 4% +334.08% 73,898 17,024
JEEP COMPASS -19.31% 23,875 29,588 9% 11% -25.42% 58,029 77,809
KIA SOUL +1.29% 21,565 21,290 8% 8% +9.06% 60,345 55,331
NISSAN KICKS +6.65% 20,773 19,478 8% 7% +51.82% 64,735 42,640
HYUNDAI KONA -9.59% 19,932 22,046 8% 8% +34.30% 70,928 52,813
BUICK ENCORE GX +3.00% 16,500 16,019 6% 6% +119.47% 61,179 27,876
MAZDA CX-30 +25.22% 13,570 10,837 5% 4% +70.81% 47,474 27,793
VOLKSWAGEN TAOS * 13,104 * 5% 0% * 18,043 0
JEEP RENEGADE -43.76% 10,663 18,961 4% 7% -8.43% 41,957 45,820
KIA SELTOS -34.11% 10,167 15,431 4% 6% +43.52% 42,352 29,509
FORD ECOSPORT -51.95% 8,190 17,045 3% 6% -26.92% 34,494 47,200
TOYOTA C-HR -32.65% 7,945 11,797 3% 4% -3.62% 32,388 33,604
HYUNDAI VENUE +52.47% 7,308 4,793 3% 2% +86.88% 22,358 11,964
KIA NIRO +45.66% 7,254 4,980 3% 2% +44.13% 19,071 13,232
CHEVROLET TRAX -78.77% 6,259 29,485 2% 11% -48.49% 41,306 80,193
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT -38.61% 4,739 7,719 2% 3% +17.21% 28,722 24,504
BUICK ENCORE -64.00% 4,012 11,143 2% 4% -45.59% 19,267 35,414
MAZDA CX-3 -53.04% 1,059 2,255 0% 1% -27.28% 5,099 7,012
FIAT 500X -30.97% 312 452 0% 0% -13.27% 980 1,130
TOTAL -6.76% 259,715 278,545 +22.43% 848,023 692,667

The HR-V led the segment with a 14 percent segment share, up 6 percentage points, while the Chevy Trailblazer followed with a 10 percent segment share, up 6 percentage points to 25,531 sales. The Jeep Compass was close behind in third with a 9 percent share, down 2 percentage points. The rest of the segment each held less than a 9 percent share. The Encore accounted for 2 percent segment share, down 2 percentage points year-over-year. The Encore’s in 18th place finish means that it outsold only the Mazda CX-3 and Fiat 500, both of which have been discontinued.

It’s worth noting that Buick fields two entries in this segment, the Encore GX and Encore. The two crossovers are mechanically not related despite carrying the same base name. In fact, the Buick Encore GX slots between the “regular” Buick Encore and Buick Envision in the brand’s vehicle lineup. The two Encore models accounted for a cumulative 20,512 deliveries, down 25 percent year-over-year for a 7.9 percent segment share.

Sales Numbers - Buick Subcompact Crossovers - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
BUICK ENCORE -64.00% 4,012 11,143 -45.59% 19,267 35,414
BUICK ENCORE GX +3.00% 16,500 16,019 +119.47% 61,179 27,876
TOTAL -24.48% 20,512 27,162 +27.11% 80,446 63,290

The four GM vehicles in the space – the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, as well as their all-new corporate cousins, the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX – accounted for a cumulative 52,302 deliveries.

Sales Numbers - GM Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET TRAX -78.77% 6,259 29,485 -48.49% 41,306 80,193
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER +147.35% 25,531 10,322 +334.08% 73,898 17,024
BUICK ENCORE -64.00% 4,012 11,143 -45.59% 19,267 35,414
BUICK ENCORE GX +3.00% 16,500 16,019 +119.47% 61,179 27,876
TOTAL -21.90% 52,302 66,969 +21.89% 195,650 160,507

By comparison, the three Stellantis rivals – the Jeep Compass, Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X – accounted for 34,850 deliveries.

Sales Numbers - Stellantis Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
JEEP COMPASS -19.31% 23,875 29,588 -25.42% 58,029 77,809
JEEP RENEGADE -43.76% 10,663 18,961 -8.43% 41,957 45,820
FIAT 500X -30.97% 312 452 -13.27% 980 1,130
TOTAL -28.88% 34,850 49,001 -19.07% 100,966 124,759

Meanwhile, Hyundai (Kona and Venue) and Kia (Seltos, Niro, Soul) saw 66,226 deliveries.

Sales Numbers - Hyundai - Kia Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers (With Soul) - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
KIA SOUL +1.29% 21,565 21,290 +9.06% 60,345 55,331
KIA SELTOS -34.11% 10,167 15,431 +43.52% 42,352 29,509
KIA NIRO +45.66% 7,254 4,980 +44.13% 19,071 13,232
HYUNDAI KONA -9.59% 19,932 22,046 +34.30% 70,928 52,813
HYUNDAI VENUE +52.47% 7,308 4,793 +86.88% 22,358 11,964
TOTAL -3.38% 66,226 68,540 +32.06% 215,054 162,849

The figures give GM a 22 percent segment share compared to 27 percent for Hyundai-Kia and 14 percent for Stellantis (previously Fiat Chrysler Automobiles / FCA).

However, a strong argument can be made that the Kia Soul is not part of the segment in question, but is rather in a segment below based on its size and price point. Removing the Soul from the Hyundai-Kia results nets 44,661 deliveries.

Sales Numbers - Hyundai - Kia Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers (Without Soul) - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
KIA SELTOS -34.11% 10,167 15,431 +43.52% 42,352 29,509
KIA NIRO +45.66% 7,254 4,980 +44.13% 19,071 13,232
HYUNDAI KONA -9.59% 19,932 22,046 +34.30% 70,928 52,813
HYUNDAI VENUE +52.47% 7,308 4,793 +86.88% 22,358 11,964
TOTAL -5.48% 44,661 47,250 +43.89% 154,709 107,518

The mainstream subcompact crossover segment (including the Kia Soul) contracted 7 percent to 259,715 units during Q3 2021, with the Buick Encore performing worse than the segment average.

The GM Authority Take

We attribute the decline in Buick Encore sales volume during Q3 2021 to the planned change in GM’s corporate strategy, as the automaker continues to boost production of the new Buick Encore GX at the expense of the older Encore. As a result, the Buick Encore subcompact crossover will likely be discontinued in the United States and Canada at the end of 2023. Given that the current-generation Encore was introduced to the North American market for the 2013 model year, it will be over a decade old by the time it’s discontinued in 2023.

The Encore will likely be replaced by the GEM-based Encore currently sold in China. Separately, Buick is working on future battery-electric models that will ride on GM’s BEV3 platform and will utilize Ultium lithium-ion batteries and Ultium Drive electric motors.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Buick Encore sales in Q3 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2021 and 77 selling days in Q3 2020
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
GM Q3 2021 sales reports:

Vince grew up in a GM family, likes manuals, and thinks this is the golden age of the automobile.

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Comments

  1. Well, what do you expect? Not only did GM leave this Encore pretty much unchanged for 10 years while other manufacturers refine and improve their vehicles, they confused matters by introducing another model with the Encore name (Encore GX). The level of sales will probably continue to decline until it’s gone at the end of 2023.

    Reply
    1. Christopher
      I love what Ford did with the EcoSport. They discontinued it. Big Improvement!

      Reply
    2. Unchanged? I don’t call more horsepower unchanged. It’s a different car now, and a nice one!

      Reply
      1. The Buick models are still the quietest of all of these and a joy to commute in.

        Reply
    3. Even if you combine Trailblazer and GX , GM sold the most. That is difficult to do in one segment. But when a Honda HR-V is pushing $30’s but as low as middle $20’s, there are better choices that are newer.

      Now there are Chevy Bolt EV that costly similarly eventually people will see the light.

      Reply
  2. I understand they gave it slightly more horsepower and for what it is, it is nice. I do like it. But I know the Encore GX is much more modern.

    Reply
  3. I am Fortunate enough to have the 2018 Model of the Encore the Best one they ever made!!!

    Reply
  4. 2018 Encore? With 138 hp vs. 155 hp of 2022 model I bought last week. Lol. Best indeed.

    Reply

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