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GMC Canyon Sales Place Last In Segment During Q3 2021

GMC Canyon sales decreased in the United States and increased in Canada during the third quarter of 2021.

GMC Canyon Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

In the United States, GMC Canyon deliveries totaled 5,479 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 15 percent compared to 6,475 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Canyon sales increased about 11 percent to 17,970 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
CANYON -15.38% 5,479 6,475 +11.04% 17,970 16,183

GMC Canyon Sales - Q3 2021 - Canada

In Canada, GMC Canyon deliveries totaled 1,357 units in Q3 2021, an increase of about 17 percent compared to 1,159 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Canyon sales increased about 37 percent to 4,303 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
CANYON +17.08% 1,357 1,159 +36.78% 4,303 3,146

Despite the GMC brand being available in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Canyon is sold in the U.S. and Canada, but not in Mexico.

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

GMC Canyon sales performance during the third quarter of 2021 keeps the midsize pickup truck in last place in its segment of six models. The Toyota Tacoma took first place, the Jeep Gladiator placed second, Ford Ranger was third (see running Ford Ranger sales), the Canyon’s corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Colorado, took fourth (see running Chevy Colorado sales), and the Nissan Frontier was fifth.

Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Pickup Trucks - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
TOYOTA TACOMA +8.19% 61,335 56,692 48% 38% +22.62% 200,631 163,619
JEEP GLADIATOR +2.31% 22,674 22,163 18% 15% +25.39% 71,458 56,990
FORD RANGER -49.44% 14,335 28,350 11% 19% -2.20% 72,706 74,338
CHEVROLET COLORADO -53.42% 12,696 27,256 10% 18% -24.77% 51,555 68,529
NISSAN FRONTIER +61.75% 11,667 7,213 9% 5% +44.78% 38,059 26,287
GMC CANYON -15.38% 5,479 6,475 4% 4% +11.04% 17,970 16,183
TOTAL -13.47% 128,186 148,149 +11.44% 452,379 405,946

During Q3 2021, Canyon sales dropped over 15 percent, a not-insignificant decline that was outdone by two other models: the Canyon’s corporate cousin – the Chevy Colorado, which saw sales tank 53 percent, and the Ford Ranger, which saw deliveries fall 49 percent. The Frontier was the star of the show, posting a 62 percent jump in sales volume. Meanwhile, the segment sales leader – the Tacoma – posted a sales bump of over 8 percent, and the Gladiator posted a more modest increase of 2.3 percent.

The Tacoma increased its dominance over the segment with a 48 percent segment share, up 10 percentage points, to 61,335 sales. The Gladiator was a distant second with an 18 percent share, up 3 percentage points, to 22,674 deliveries. Both the Ranger and Colorado each lost 8 percentage points. The Ranger took 11 percent share to 14,335 sales, while the Colorado accounted for 10 percent share to 12,696 deliveries. The Frontier had a 9 percent share, up 4 percentage points, to 11,667 units. The GMC Canyon maintained its 4 percent segment share, moving 5,479 units.

It’s worth noting that combined deliveries of the two GM offerings in the midsize pickup truck segment – the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado – totaled 18,175 units, with a 14 percent segment share for The General. That the duo on the podium to third place.

Sales Numbers - GM Midsize Mainstream Pickup Trucks - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET COLORADO -53.42% 12,696 27,256 70% 81% -24.77% 51,555 68,529
GMC CANYON -15.38% 5,479 6,475 30% 19% +11.04% 17,970 16,183
TOTAL -46.12% 18,175 33,731 -17.93% 69,525 84,712

The mid-size mainstream pickup truck segment contracted over 13 percent to 128,186 units during the third quarter of 2021, with Canyon sales slightly underperforming the segment average.


Below, we provide Honda Ridgeline sales for informational purposes, as the model straddles the midsize and full-size pickup truck segments.

Sales Numbers - Honda Ridgeline - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
RIDGELINE -24.46% 6,502 8,607 +33.58% 30,872 23,112

The GM Authority Take

The decrease in GMC Canyon sales during Q3 2021 was in line with the segment average. The decline was the result of extremely limited inventory caused by downtime at the GM Wentzville plant over the ongoing global semiconductor microchip shortage. In fact, the plant saw significant production cuts during the first and second quarters of the 2021 calendar year. And even though the assembly line was back in full swing on August 26th, production remained an on-again, off-again affair.

The situation will get worse before it gets better, since production of the Canyon and Colorado has been idled for the final three weeks of the 2021 calendar year due to plant renovations for the next-gen models.

A lack of inventory is only part of the problem; the other part involves the competition. The Tacoma has managed to further its lead over all rivals, making up nearly half of the segment’s sales volume, up significantly from the year-ago quarter. Jeep also has a hit on it hands with the Gladiator, which combines the unmistakable Jeep design with a pickup truck body style and respectable off-road capability that Jeep is known for. Then there’s Nissan’s new Frontier, which is having a positive impact after languishing as an unchanged has-been for so many years. It set the segment curve with a nearly 62 percent jump. These three models are the only models that gained segment share.

Ultimately, GMC will have to contend with these strong rivals once production and inventory stabilize. And contend it will, using the upcoming 2023 GMC Canyon, which will get a thorough overhaul. The next-gen Canyon will be a key part of GMC’s strategy to claw back sales and share, since half of GMC Canyon buyers in 2021 are new to the brand. The next-gen Canyon AT4 – which is also very effective in bringing new customers to GMC, with over half of Canyon AT4 buyers are new to GMC thus far in 2021 – will play a key role in that approach.

2023 GMC Canyon AT4X Prototype undergoing testing in November 2021

In fact, the next-gen Canyon will strengthen the GMC AT4 sub-brand by overhauling the Canyon AT4 to make it an even more competitive, while adding an even more capable Canyon AT4X to the lineup. The upcoming GMC Canyon AT4X will finally give GMC a mechanical equivalent to the Chevy Colorado ZR2, complete with front and rear e-lockers, a factory lift, high-clearance fascias, and MultiMatic DSSV dampers. The next-gen, 2023 GMC Canyon (and the 2023 Chevy Colorado) are expected to launch in the middle of the 2022 calendar year, meaning that the best has yet to come for the GMC Canyon in terms of product and sales volume.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to GMC Canyon sales for Q3 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days for Q3 2021 and 77 selling days for Q3 2020
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. Possible reasons why.. I for one, have held out for this next generation mid-size truck because I’ve heard too many issues with the 8 Speed transmission and I’m looking for additional features associated with a next generation model. Aside from the transmission, I would love to have one, but I’m just biding my time and others may be also.

    Reply
    1. No stock or inventory is the greatest issue, most dealers have one or none.

      The 23 is not far out and unless you have to have a Diesel or a V6 it is best to wait.

      Not sure if they will have an extended cab or long bed either. We have not seen any testing.

      Reply
    2. You’re reading way too much in to the 8 speeds having issues. Early runs had the wrong fluid in it, new ones are correctly filled and have very few issues. If you read too much in to anything you won’t ever buy anything. There have been 10 speed failures as well… The 8 speed failure rate is in the decimal of a percent. So don’t let that deter you, stop reading forums as many people on there are just to complain, not praise.

      Reply
      1. HAD a ‘21 ZR2. Every time it downshifted into first gear at a STOP sign or red light it felt like someone smacked me in the back of the head. Worst tranny EVER!!! Gone after 10 months. NO THANKS. Couldn’t solve the problem.

        Reply
    3. I firmly believe that if they drop the 4 cylinder diesel as planned, then it should be replaced by the V-6 model, although I feel it’s still underpowered and not very efficient.

      Reply
      1. Having owned a 2.0 turbo that put out 300 hp and 315 ft LBs the 2.7 will do much more than the V6 and at a much flatter lower torque curve.

        My 3.6 feel flat to my my 2.0.

        Reply
        1. Maybe so, but it’s still not the upgraded version going into the full size trucks and also not as efficient as a diesel model.

          Reply
          1. Where have they announced this?

            Reply
    4. I am an owner and this truck needs far more improvement than just a transmission.

      Reply
    5. I totally agree with you Marty on your reasons to wait .I recently committed to a 2022 zr2 Colorado but I think I am going to eat the deposit or apply it to a 2023 zr2 depending upon the anticipated price increase.

      Reply
    6. The 8 speed fluid absorbed moist and GM replaced it with a Mobil Synthetic that solved the issue.my transmission is smooth as glass.

      Reply
    7. All these people posting super long rants, and all I want to do is ask why. Why does everyone seem to think Ram needs a midsize truck when Jeep has the Gladiator? The Gladiator may outsale the Ranger for the year. The Gladiator has become a success and anyone who disagrees or down thumbs me is just a pouter whose mad that gm will never get that far. The Gladiator hasn’t been out but two years and is already at second place. I’m sure some loyal Tacoma fans will surely fall off the wagon when this new Tacoma comes out because it’s probably gonna be nearly as big and ugly as the new Tundra. For those future Ex-Tacoma guys, go ahead and jump ship to Gladiator now.

      Reply
  2. Just maybe it’s time for a EV rebirth. FORD can see it. Maybe GM should hire a visionary?

    Reply
    1. FYI BowTie. GM will have two electric trucks out next year. First the Hummer this month and soon a very advanced Silverado E that unlike the Ford was designed and built fully as a EV truck. Not some short cut like Ford did.

      GM will be 1-2 years more advanced than Ford on trucks.

      Reply
      1. I do believe that electric vehicles have there place, but are not for the vast majority of people and they are far too expensive for the majority and only the wealthy can afford most of them.

        Reply
        1. What you miss is there will be no choice. Some limited areas my get Hybrids but as a whole the market is going to change no matter if we like it or not.

          Reply
          1. That’s because we’re being forced to out of total ignorance from the party currently in control. Also the same party that wants to spend trillions at the expense of the people that are still willing to work for a living, but can’t afford an electric vehicle, even with the subsidies they have planned.

            Reply
            1. Craig we are getting electrics now no matter the party. Not that I am a fan of the ones in now.

              The regulations globally in the major auto market are getting so regulated it is driving up the cost and difficulty of getting any ICE engine through, development cost are brought the roof. Heck who ever thought a Malibu would be $40k.

              They are about at the limits as they are now making 3 cylinders and the next step is smaller cars.

              What Automaker have found in the last couple years is they can get batteries below $100 per KWH. This was never thought possible and we are there today. My 2030 it is expected to be $36 KWH and with more range and better charging times.

              Automakers see this as a way to control cost and prices yet still increase profits as EV models will become cheaper to build once development cost are covered.

              GM and some others also see this as a way they can sell technology to other companies that can’t go it alone like the Honda GM deal.

              Automakers are no longer opposed and they will keep moving to EV models even if Don gets re elected.

              To be honest most of the public is not opposed if they can better afford it. It is scary how few oppose EV.

              I make my living in the racing industry. ICE pays my bills. But we are now looking into where we can do things with EV now. The entire performance industry is looking into it big time.

              Electrics will soon be more affordable than what ICE will be. I did not say cheap but cheaper than what we have now. There will be changes to deal with and growing pains but the change is coming like it or not.

              I am faced with adapt or find a new way to make a living. Piss and moan is not going to change a thing.

              Reply
  3. I am the owner of a 2019 Canyon and in general, I am pleased with the truck. But would say that sales, supply not being relevant, that it’s most likely due to exterior styling, dirt cheap interior and aesthetics, over use of electronics that 95% , don’t need or use beyond the trial period. The biggest thing I dislike about styling, is the CUV styled cab and how narrow it is compared to the over sized bulging over the wheel wells. Also the fact that they are eliminating the diesel option soon, when it’s as much their fault, as the government’s for being slow selling. Imagine how much less we would be polluting the air and ATMOSPHERE, if we no longer manufactured all the components to use DEF . Instead creating better efficiency (mileage, power) , all the while lowering the cost of all diesel powered vehicles and semi’s.

    Reply
  4. GM is the King of allowing a basically good product to deteriorate by not keeping up with the competition, they’ll keep bringing out small incremental changes that basically are “eye candy” but offer no substance. Instead of staying ahead of the competition, they’ll attempt to maintain their status, which of course saves them money in development cost but sadly they’ll lose money and profits by building less products. A pathetic way of doing business, just think of every GM product that has come out since the 1970’s…they’ll bring out a new model that’ll be the equal of the competition the first year or two, then let go to hell and then eventually discarding it and attempt to bring out a new product and in the meantime, that product sales tanks and a “fresh new product” comes out, and that routine is again brought out and allowed to die an un-natural death.
    Can’t think of any GM products that follow this pathetic way of doing business? Ok, how about the Chevy Vega, the Chevy Cavalier, the Chevy Celebrity, the Chevy Malibu, the Chevy Citation, the Chevy Monza, The Chevy Corvair, the Chevy Nova, and I could keep going on forever here, but you get the idea….all the while other makes keep hanging onto and improving their respective products over the years.
    Take the Honda Civic and Accord, how about the Toyota’s line of vehicles…names you’ve seen and known for literally over 30 plus years! The car buying public gets accustomed to those names, they purchase these reliable vehicles that keep improving every year and those people hand off those vehicles to family members who keep buying that product line and so it goes…loyalty is the key here. GM needs to keep upgrading their product name so that they too build a loyal line of customers, which they’ve managed to once again “shoot themselves in the foot” by slowly upgrading the Chevy Silverado and Sierra GMC light duty truck line, but it’s always “too little too late”, all the while Dodge Ram has taken over the Silverado as the second best selling light duty truck line, behind the “King of Truck Sales”, the Ford F-150, which no one will ever catch as they are the masters of upgrades and customer loyalty! Wake up GM…the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are in need of some serious upgrading that’ll compete with Toyota, and Ford….a fancy grill change or new wheel package isn’t going to cut is….GM can drive those other products and see where they’ve fallen behind and improve their products, but GM is the most arrogant auto manufacture on the planet…once they think they’ve “made it” they try to run that product into the ground with fancy sales BS when in fact, they need to just “compete on every level” to stay successful.

    Reply
    1. Rick GM has has the newest and most advanced truck till recently with a new Toyota now coming. Even the Ford was old when GM left nothing to rot.

      This segment is not easy to build or price. These trucks cost nearly as much as a full size to build. They can’t be priced as a full size and few parts are shared with other models to leverage scale.

      This is why Toyota has built pretty much the same truck for 20 years. These are not profit centers and they will not get major or regular investments since it would add little to sales or profits,

      You need to use all parameters here when looking at this. Ford may sell more trucks but they do more fleet sales. There is little profit there. Ford went to Aluminum bodies but now pay more material cost and get less profits.

      There is much more to this than you are looking at.

      Reply
  5. I have a Colorado diesel.
    Considering GM lack of reliability, transmission issues etc etc etc … I was very hesitant to purchase a GM product.
    How long do you have to listen to complaints before GM does something about a problem.
    The 8 speed burnt a lot of people. Years went by before GM even looked at the issue.
    The same with the first gen and now the second generation cyl deactivation system on the 5.3 and 6.2…
    People don’t trust GM .
    It’s there biggest issue.

    Reply
    1. The Transmission issue was something that they worked on aggressively. It took time and several tried by Mobil to fix this.

      If you had the answe I am sure they would have paid you well for the cure.

      Reply
      1. People were complaining for years about transmission shudder.
        The cure was there but it would have cost money.
        And if it’s going to cost money GM will ignore fixing the issue until it absolutely has to do something about it….

        GM has had complaints for many years about the cylinder deactivation system failures. They left a lot of people footing the bill for there bad design.
        When they finally redesigned the cylinder deactivation system they had failures soon after release.
        This has been going on so long and it’s such a problem that GM has issued a bulletin to all dealers to replace the heads on all vehicles with a 5.3 or 6.2 before they are allowed to be sold.
        But at this point if you have one of these vehicles cross your fingers and hope for the best.

        Reply
        1. Rob if you really informed you would never post what you just did.

          GM went through several fluid and a large number of converter changes as well transmission changes. The path from 2015 to 2019 was not cheap.

          It took Mobil 3 fluids before they found the right formula and it is a full synthetic that is $12 a quart. GM has offered the flush to all 8 speed owners at no cost if you are in warranty. Most were.

          The transmission issue was not ignored.

          The Cylinder deal is a totally different issue. I have not had experience with it so I will not comment. I know I just saw that they offered a TSB to address the issue in the SUV models so GM is not looking to stick all with this from their latest efforts. I am sure some fell out of the time frame that often happens.

          I just read about a Acadia owner in a 08 complaining about his timing chains. His problem was his has enough miles they needed replaced anyways there was no premature failure with his. I know a number of people before the redesign did have issues but this cats case was just flat worn out.

          Reply
          1. There was many many people on the forum that I am part of that had there trucks in multiple times and the Dealer said there was nothing wrong….
            The term working as designed was used. Many calls to GM was also classified as (Working as designed was the given answer)
            That my friend is pisss poor service and it is very much a part of GMs history. Turn a blind eye.
            Many complaints were posted for years while GM ignored the complaints.
            When was it ever a Mobil One problem? Why would Mobile One try 3 different fluids ? Is it because GMs incompetence to find a fix for there own transmission!!
            If your going to complete in todays world you better do a better job than GM is doing. And that is obvious by the sales numbers.

            There is a guy on YouTube (I do cars) he buys blown motors and sells the parts. And even he says 5.3 and 6.2 are great engines but there is far to many with the cylinder deactivation issue. Both gen one and now gen two.

            Cam chain issues have been a major issue for years with GM especially the 2.4L
            That problem really showed up when they increased the distance between oil changes. It was so bad GM put out a bulletin that had the dealers re flashing the ECU to decrease the time between oil changes.

            ps
            I didn’t say there was any issues with the 3.6 cam chain issues
            You did
            I said it’s a bad engineering design to have the chains at the back….
            And there is absolutely no need of it.

            Reply
            1. Amen. Cam chains in the back of the engine….REALLY. Another gm misstep costing owners big bucks.

              Reply
    2. I am just going to post this from above because apparently reading is not your strong suit…

      “You’re reading way too much in to the 8 speeds having issues. Early runs had the wrong fluid in it, new ones are correctly filled and have very few issues. If you read too much in to anything you won’t ever buy anything. There have been 10 speed failures as well… The 8 speed failure rate is in the decimal of a percent. So don’t let that deter you, stop reading forums as many people on there are just to complain, not praise.”

      As far as the AFM, please stop bringing that up and do some research on the actual amount of failures, they are few and far between. Some early adapters had some teething issues but still ran well and was dependable. The later generations have had very few issues. Outside of a string of supplier issues most the others have been either rogue issues which is pretty rare of maintenance issues in terms of proper oiling. So no, there isn’t a big issue of AFM failures, that is decimal of a percentage. GM sells million of these engines a year and you read a handful of people on forums that have an issue, the forums are an extreme small amount of actual ownership. So apply some (no pun intended) commonsense and don’t read too much in to it. The mountain people make out of a mole hill is hilarious, it is a pretty rare issue and those on the forums are usually there to complain which doesn’t help the actual data.

      Reply
  6. Most unreliable truck you can buy according to Consumer Reports.

    Buy one and you’ll get the timing chain issues of the 3.6L V6 (which requires an engine-out repair) AND you get stuck with a terrible 8 speed automatic.

    It seems like GM doesn’t even want to sell this truck. The Canyon and Colorado are evidence that GM resents their own customers.

    Reply
    1. Not sure they don’t want to sell there trucks
      More like let’s see how much we can get away with.
      Yes some of the engineering being done today is beyond stupid. Like timing chains at the back of the engine.

      I really want to see GM beat the hell out of Ford. But there is so many bad design decisions being made.
      It’s like they need to hire someone to say …… no that’s a bad idea.
      Or …. Fix that lifter failure issue because word is spreading fast…

      GM used to make the best transmissions on the market.
      Any one remember seeing the commercial where the GM design team held the car wide open while shifting the transmission from reverse to drive.
      They were so proud to show how tough there transmissions were.
      We need that quality back…..

      Reply
    2. There are no timing chain issues with these truck, please stick to relevant information from this generation of truck, thank you. We don’t need misinformed people spreading false information. That 3.6 timing chain issue was a decade ago and addressed. And CR is your source, haha.

      Reply
  7. No…not a CR believer on the post here…
    Shaking my head.

    Reply
  8. There are no new Canyons at my local dealer. My 2018 ZR2 is one of the best vehicles I have owned. They corrected my 8 speed issue and now it runs great. I would recommend it to anyone in the market looking for a truck.

    Reply
  9. Gearbox problems need I say more…

    Reply
  10. Ask Toyota…..they build a good quality, durable, mid-sized truck. Changes only as needed to make a better truck. This is how they control costs and avoid the glitches big changes bring. No one is catching them anytime soon.

    Reply
    1. Base MSRP on a Taco is around $45k CAD. Too rich for my blood. Even the new Nissans start at $40k up here. Chevy still offers a base model for $30k.

      Reply

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