One of the longest-running rivalries in the automotive industry is that of Chevrolet vs. Ford. The contention is alive and well today, with the two American auto brands battling it out in many segments, 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 looking at the raw sales figures, and that’s what we’ll do here today for the entire 2021 calendar year.
During that timeframe, total Chevy sales in the U.S. market dropped more than 17 percent to 1,437,677 units. Meanwhile, Ford brand sales fell nearly 5 percent to 1,819,026 units.
Sales Results - Q4 2021 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | Q4 2021 / Q4 2020 | Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLAZER | -14.01% | 19,986 | 23,243 | -25.66% | 70,325 | 94,599 |
| BOLT EUV | * | 8 | * | * | 2,755 | 0 |
| BOLT EV | -99.75% | 17 | 6,701 | +6.36% | 22,073 | 20,754 |
| CAMARO | -9.80% | 6,809 | 7,549 | -26.47% | 21,893 | 29,775 |
| COLORADO | -22.58% | 21,453 | 27,709 | -24.14% | 73,008 | 96,238 |
| CORVETTE | -7.77% | 8,293 | 8,992 | +52.78% | 33,041 | 21,626 |
| EQUINOX | -82.07% | 14,213 | 79,267 | -38.99% | 165,323 | 270,994 |
| EXPRESS | -56.71% | 7,766 | 17,941 | -19.55% | 44,355 | 55,131 |
| IMPALA | -99.12% | 9 | 1,028 | -92.46% | 750 | 9,942 |
| LOW CAB FORWARD | +32.46% | 1,514 | 1,143 | +21.95% | 5,655 | 4,637 |
| MALIBU | -75.31% | 7,221 | 29,252 | -61.64% | 39,376 | 102,651 |
| SILVERADO | -35.70% | 115,376 | 179,444 | -10.83% | 529,765 | 594,094 |
| SONIC | -99.18% | 18 | 2,208 | -87.85% | 1,581 | 13,007 |
| SPARK | -86.09% | 1,452 | 10,442 | -26.94% | 24,459 | 33,478 |
| SUBURBAN | +3.34% | 14,031 | 13,577 | +28.11% | 48,214 | 37,636 |
| TAHOE | +7.61% | 30,882 | 28,698 | +20.16% | 106,030 | 88,238 |
| TRAILBLAZER | -5.82% | 16,263 | 17,268 | +162.92% | 90,161 | 34,292 |
| TRAVERSE | -46.91% | 22,052 | 41,534 | -7.40% | 116,250 | 125,546 |
| TRAX | -95.08% | 1,284 | 26,106 | -59.93% | 42,590 | 106,299 |
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -44.72% | 288,647 | 522,136 | -17.37% | 1,437,677 | 1,739,792 |
The Chevy Silverado was by far the highest-selling model for the Bow Tie brand, netting 529,765 units. Comparatively, the most popular Ford model was the F-Series with 726,004 deliveries during the quarter.
Sales Results - Q4 2021 - USA - Ford
| MODEL | Q4 2021 / Q4 2020 | Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRONCO | * | 24,819 | * | * | 35,023 | 0 |
| BRONCO SPORT | +426.66% | 26,965 | 5,120 | +2,012.68% | 108,169 | 5,120 |
| E-SERIES | -9.82% | 10,655 | 11,815 | +0.33% | 37,122 | 37,001 |
| ECOSPORT | -53.80% | 6,165 | 13,345 | -32.84% | 40,659 | 60,545 |
| EDGE | -5.46% | 30,274 | 32,024 | -21.73% | 85,225 | 108,886 |
| ESCAPE | -28.07% | 33,624 | 46,743 | -18.53% | 145,415 | 178,496 |
| EXPEDITION | -31.84% | 17,784 | 26,091 | +5.33% | 81,988 | 77,838 |
| EXPLORER | -9.56% | 59,697 | 66,008 | -2.81% | 219,871 | 226,217 |
| F-SERIES | -3.64% | 191,173 | 198,388 | -7.80% | 726,004 | 787,422 |
| FUSION | -99.49% | 103 | 20,001 | -89.35% | 11,781 | 110,665 |
| GT | +42.86% | 40 | 28 | -18.29% | 143 | 175 |
| HEAVY TRUCKS | +5.04% | 4,313 | 4,106 | +41.51% | 14,202 | 10,036 |
| MAVERICK | * | 12,752 | * | * | 13,258 | 0 |
| MUSTANG | -15.64% | 11,349 | 13,453 | -14.20% | 52,414 | 61,090 |
| MUSTANG MACH-E | +276,066.67% | 8,285 | 3 | +904,566.67% | 27,140 | 3 |
| RANGER | -18.78% | 22,049 | 27,148 | -6.63% | 94,755 | 101,486 |
| TRANSIT | -44.71% | 20,946 | 37,886 | -24.18% | 99,745 | 131,556 |
| TRANSIT CONNECT | -30.61% | 6,491 | 9,355 | -24.52% | 26,112 | 34,596 |
| FORD TOTAL | -4.74% | 487,484 | 511,735 | -6.20% | 1,819,026 | 1,939,334 |
Meanwhile, the Chevy vehicle to experience the largest growth was the Trailblazer, moving from 34,292 units sold in 2020 to 90,161 units in 2021 for a 163-percent increase in sales volume.
For Ford, the Mustang Mach-E experienced the largest growth, up 904,567 percent to 27,140 followed by the Bronco Sport, which saw sales grow over 2,000 percent to 108,169 units.
Car Sales
Chevy outsold Ford in the passenger car segment in 2021.
Chevy car sales in the U.S. fell nearly 43 percent to 121,100 units, while Ford car sales fell nearly 63 percent to 64,338 units. While Chevy sold nearly twice as many cars as Ford, it’s worth noting that Chevy also offers a much broader car lineup. Specifically, the Bow Tie brand currently offers the Camaro, Corvette, Spark and Malibu (with the Sonic and Impala having been discontinued) while Ford only offers the Mustang and the GT supercar, having discontinued core models like the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Taurus.
Sales Numbers - Chevy Cars - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET CAMARO | -26.47% | 21,893 | 29,775 | 18% | 14% |
| CHEVROLET CORVETTE | +52.78% | 33,041 | 21,626 | 27% | 10% |
| CHEVROLET SPARK | -26.94% | 24,459 | 33,478 | 20% | 16% |
| CHEVROLET SONIC | -87.85% | 1,581 | 13,007 | 1% | 6% |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | -61.64% | 39,376 | 102,651 | 33% | 49% |
| CHEVROLET IMPALA | -92.46% | 750 | 9,942 | 1% | 5% |
| TOTAL | -42.46% | 121,100 | 210,479 |
The Corvette was the only car to post a growth in sales volume, as all remaining Chevy models and all three Ford cars posted a decline. The Impala and Fusion saw the largest drops of nearly 93 percent and 89 percent, respectively, as both models were discontinued.
Sales Numbers - Ford Cars - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD MUSTANG | -14.20% | 52,414 | 61,090 | 81% | 36% |
| FORD FUSION | -89.35% | 11,781 | 110,665 | 18% | 64% |
| FORD GT | -18.29% | 143 | 175 | 0% | 0% |
| TOTAL | -62.58% | 64,338 | 171,930 |
Crossover Sales
The story is somewhat different when it comes to crossovers, as Ford outsold Chevy by just over 117,000 units in 2021. Chevy crossover sales fell 22 percent to 509,477 units compared to Ford’s 8-percent growth to 626,479 units.
Sales Numbers - Chevy Crossovers - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET BOLT EUV | * | 2,755 | 0 | 1% | 0% |
| CHEVROLET BOLT EV | +6.36% | 22,073 | 20,754 | 4% | 3% |
| CHEVROLET TRAX | -59.93% | 42,590 | 106,299 | 8% | 16% |
| CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | +162.92% | 90,161 | 34,292 | 18% | 5% |
| CHEVROLET EQUINOX | -38.99% | 165,323 | 270,994 | 32% | 42% |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | -25.66% | 70,325 | 94,599 | 14% | 14% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | -7.40% | 116,250 | 125,546 | 23% | 19% |
| TOTAL | -21.92% | 509,477 | 652,484 |
Once again, the Trailblazer led the way for Chevy crossovers in terms of posting the biggest growth rate, while the Equinox was first when it comes to sales volume at 165,323 units. Meanwhile, the Ford Mustang Mach-E experienced the largest growth in sales volume, though the Explorer was The Blue Oval’s best-selling crossover at 219,871 units.
Sales Numbers - Ford Crossovers - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | -2.81% | 219,871 | 226,217 | 35% | 39% |
| FORD ESCAPE | -18.53% | 145,415 | 178,496 | 23% | 31% |
| FORD BRONCO SPORT | +2,012.68% | 108,169 | 5,120 | 17% | 1% |
| FORD EDGE | -21.73% | 85,225 | 108,886 | 14% | 19% |
| FORD ECOSPORT | -32.84% | 40,659 | 60,545 | 6% | 10% |
| FORD MUSTANG MACH-E | +904,566.67% | 27,140 | 3 | 4% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +8.15% | 626,479 | 579,267 |
SUV Sales
Chevy was the undisputed best-seller when in (body-on-frame) SUVs in 2021, outselling Ford by nearly 40,000 units.
Sales Numbers - Chevy SUV Sales - Q4 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TAHOE | +20.16% | 106,030 | 88,238 | 69% | 70% |
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | +28.11% | 48,214 | 37,636 | 31% | 30% |
| TOTAL | +22.54% | 154,244 | 125,874 |
The Tahoe and Suburban combined for 154,244 deliveries, up nearly 23 percent compared to 2020. Meanwhile, Ford Expedition sales lagged behind with 81,988 units, resulting in an increase of over 5 percent, while the Ford Bronco added another 35,023 units for a total of 117,011 Ford SUVs sold during the year, up 50 percent compared to 2020.
Sales Numbers - Ford SUV Sales - Q4 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPEDITION | +5.33% | 81,988 | 77,838 | 70% | 100% |
| FORD BRONCO | * | 35,023 | 0 | 30% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +50.33% | 117,011 | 77,838 |
Truck Sales
The circumstance flips when it comes to pickup trucks, with Chevy falling to Ford in terms of cumulative pickup sales volume. In total, Chevy sold 608,428 trucks, down nearly 13 percent compared to 2020, while Ford sold a total of 848,219 units, for a 5.6-percent decline.
Sales Numbers - Chevy Truck Sales - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | -24.14% | 73,008 | 96,238 | 12% | 14% |
| CHEVROLET SILVERADO | -10.83% | 529,765 | 594,094 | 87% | 85% |
| CHEVROLET LOW CAB FORWARD | +21.95% | 5,655 | 4,637 | 1% | 1% |
| TOTAL | -12.45% | 608,428 | 694,969 |
The Ford F-Series saw 726,004 sales versus the 529,765 deliveries of the Chevy Silverado during 2021. Additionally, Ford Ranger sales decreased nearly 7 percent while the Chevy Colorado experienced a decline of over 24 percent, with the Ranger outselling the Colorado by 21,747 units. It’s worth noting that stunted Colorado sales were exacerbated by significantly constrained availability of the Colorado at the dealer level as a result of the ongoing microchip shortage. Production stoppages at the GM’s Wentzville plant in Missouri, which builds the Colorado, took place during several months in 2021. Most recently, production was halted again for nearly the entire month of December 2021.
Finally, Ford recorded 13,258 deliveries of its new compact Maverick pickup as well as 14,202 units of its Heavy Trucks (F-650 and F-750), while Chevy’s Low Cab Forward range added 5,655 units to its bottom line.
Sales Numbers - Ford Truck Sales - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD MAVERICK | * | 13,258 | 0 | 2% | 0% |
| FORD RANGER | -6.63% | 94,755 | 101,486 | 11% | 11% |
| FORD F-SERIES | -7.80% | 726,004 | 787,422 | 86% | 88% |
| FORD HEAVY TRUCKS | +41.51% | 14,202 | 10,036 | 2% | 1% |
| TOTAL | -5.64% | 848,219 | 898,944 |
Van Sales
With only one van offering, Chevy was outsold by Ford more than three-fold in the van segment in 2021.
Sales Numbers - Chevy Van Sales - Q4 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET EXPRESS | -19.55% | 44,355 | 55,131 | 100% | 100% |
| TOTAL | -19.55% | 44,355 | 55,131 |
Chevy Express sales totaled 44,355 units for a 19.5 percent decrease in sales volume, while the total number of Ford van sales decreased nearly 20 percent to 162,979 units. The decline in Chevy Express sales is the result of the aforementioned production stoppages at GM’s Wentzville plant that also builds the Express. Production at the plant was down for several weeks in 2021, resulting in substantial declines in inventory and associated sales volumes.
Sales Numbers - Ford Van Sales - Q4 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD TRANSIT CONNECT | -24.52% | 26,112 | 34,596 | 16% | 17% |
| FORD TRANSIT | -24.18% | 99,745 | 131,556 | 61% | 65% |
| FORD E-SERIES | +0.33% | 37,122 | 37,001 | 23% | 18% |
| TOTAL | -19.78% | 162,979 | 203,153 |
Notably, the Ford Transit Connect and Transit, experienced a decrease in sales, while the E-Series saw an increase of less than 1 percent. For those who may not be familiar with Ford’s van offerings, the Transit Connect is a compact city van (available in passenger and cargo forms), the Transit is the large van range (including passenger, cargo, and cutaway), while the E-Series is offered solely as a cutaway.
EV Sales
When focusing specifically on electric vehicles, Chevy outsold Ford by a slim margin.
The Bolt EV and Bolt EUV accounted for a cumulative 27,575 deliveries. While the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV received a refresh alongside the launch of its all-new larger sibling, the Chevy Bolt EUV, sales of both models is currently being stifled by the ongoing stop-sale and resulting production stoppage over a battery-related fire risk.
Sales Numbers - Chevy EV Sales - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET BOLT EV | +6.36% | 22,073 | 20,754 | 89% | 100% |
| CHEVROLET BOLT EUV | * | 2,755 | 0 | 11% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +19.63% | 24,828 | 20,754 |
Comparatively, the new-to-market Mustang Mach-E sold 27,140 units, which is impressive for the nameplate’s first-ever full-year sales performance. To clarify, that’s just 435 units behind Chevy’s electirc duo.
Sales Numbers - Ford EV Sales - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 | YTD 21 SHARE | YTD 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD MUSTANG MACH-E | +904,566.67% | 27,140 | 3 | 100% | 100% |
| TOTAL | +904,566.67% | 27,140 | 3 |
Overall, the Ford brand sold exactly 381,349 more units than Chevy during the 2021 calendar year, mostly as a result of higher crossover, van, and truck sales. However, it’s worth noting that General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC) sold more vehicles than the Ford Motor Company (the namesake Ford brand plus Lincoln) during the same timeframe. To wit – GM posted 2,218,223 deliveries versus Ford’s 1,905,955 units.
The GM Authority Take
The fact that Ford outsold Chevy during 2021 is nothing new, since this has been the case for the past several years. Additionally, the results present a somewhat distorted comparison, since both automakers continue to face major supply issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, including parts shortages, plant shut downs and other manufacturing issues, as well as a bevy of other logistical problems.
We should have more of an apples-to-apples comparison once the operating environment stabilizes and returns back to normal. When that might be is currently anyone’s guess.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to GM sales for 2020 and Ford sales for 2020, unless noted otherwise
- GM 2021 sales reports:
- GM 2021 sales U.S.A.
- Chevrolet sales 2021 U.S.A.
- Cadillac sales 2021 U.S.A.
- Buick sales 2021 U.S.A.
- GMC sales 2021 U.S.A.
- GM Canada sales 2021
- Chevrolet Canada sales 2021
- Cadillac Canada sales 2021
- Buick Canada sales 2021
- GMC Canada sales 2021
- GM China sales 2021
- Chevrolet China 2021 sales
- Buick China 2021 sales
- Cadillac China 2021 sales
- GM Brazil sales 2021
- GM Argentina sales 2021
- GM South Korea sales 2021
- Chevrolet South Korea 2021 sales
- Cadillac South Korea 2021 sales
- GM Russia sales 2021
- GM 2021 sales U.S.A.
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Comments
Bigger screens will bring gm 1st.
“However, it’s worth noting that General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC) sold more vehicles than the Ford Motor Company (the namesake Ford brand plus Lincoln) during the same timeframe.”
So essentially the article admits all its tables and numbers are worthless because it ignores Buick and GMC.
Worthless? This is a comparison of Chevrolet to Ford – mainstream brands that fight head-to-head, and have been doing so for decades.
Buick and GMC are different brands aimed at the premium segment.
So what’s worthless is your comment, as it fails to understand that 1) this is Chevy vs. Ford, and that 2) the FoMoCo vs. GM sales comparison is a different thing. Even better, the article doesn’t actually “ignore” Buick or GMC, as it mentions them outright.
Oh boy, this is blatant butt-covering.
What happened to Ford’s Mercury sales? They disappeared? No they got rolled into Ford-branded vehicles.
If you haven’t noticed, Chevy and GMC still sell the same vehicles. High Country = Denali. You’re saying a GMC Savana is somehow more premium than an Express? You guys wrote a bunch of articles about “Pro” WT trims. Are those upmarket?
Face it, it’s a clickbait title and we all know it.
It is not true that GMC is only a premium brand. If a franchise has Chevy and GMC, then the GMC dealer will take the premium segment and the Chevy dealer will not. If you only have Buick GMC like we do then we will have work trucks and vans and dump bodies and the Chevy guy will have High Country’s. We can compete against Chevy, if we want to.
Exactly and look at U-Haul and Budget. All the Fords say Ford on the front, but they seem mostly GMC and not Chevy.
My Bottom Line: Chevy needs
• a SERIOUS and hyper competitive answer to the Ford Explorer.
• a new True Blazer to take on the Bronco
• super sexy Mach-E competitor
Fix the damn engines and transmissions and maybe they could out sell ford
They don’t build what I need They build what they think I need.
Sales, sales, sales, really…..McDonalds sells more hamburgers than anyone else also, but they are not… the best!!
Silverado / Sierra outsold the F150 778,688 to 726,003 in 2021. This omission from the article makes it misleading.
When Ford was incinerating owners of its vehicles, I remember thinking: will GM follow and think of a creative way to Kill its purchasers?
GM delivered it’s special Killer ignitions. But I still think Killing and Cremation all at once was more creative.
Ford and GM’s total world volume in units is down over 50% only in the last 5 years. Meanwhile Toyota, Hyundai/Kia have been picking-up major market share with Toyota now being #1 in GM’s own market.
The only reason those two brands still exist is the 25% tariff (chicken tax) on pick-ups. Still heading to extinction.
Up the quality and there will be no competition with Ford.
GM is at an all time low when it comes to quality.
I am not interested in supporting the dealer networks service departments….
Get rid of Mary…
Chevrolet needs to step up there game…..
It boils down to gm/Chevy not offering what the people want.
Toyota at the top
While Toyota topped GM in sales in the second and third quarters last year, it has never beaten GM for full-year sales until now, said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst for Cox Automotive. Krebs said Ward’s Automotive data goes back to 1961 and showed GM was the sales leader every year — albeit being beaten in some quarters — since that date.
Toyota’s success comes from managing tight inventory well all year, Krebs said. And it had solid sales in its Toyota brand as well as its luxury brand Lexus, she said.