When it comes to the midsize mainstream pickup truck segment, the Toyota Tacoma is the undisputed sales champ, and has been for quite some time now. Nevertheless, GM is catching up with its own midsizers, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, which appear to be narrowing the gap with the perennial segment sales leader. In fact, one could argue that these two GM models have the shot at taking the top spot in the segment.
Let’s start by taking a look at some of the latest sales numbers. During Q3 of the 2024 calendar year, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon accounted for a combined 39,008 sales, as compared to 57,368 units sold for Toyota Tacoma during the same time frame. As such, the two GM midsizers were roughly 18K units behind the leader. Individually, the Chevy Colorado accounted for 28,887 units sold during Q3, while the GMC Canyon accounted for 10,121 deliveries.
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Pickup Trucks - Q3 2024 - USA
| MODEL | Q3 24 / Q3 23 | Q3 24 | Q3 23 | Q3 24 SHARE | Q3 23 SHARE | YTD 24 / YTD 23 | YTD 24 | YTD 23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA TACOMA | +40.94% | 57,368 | 40,705 | 42% | 38% | -29.43% | 126,805 | 179,681 |
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | +13.19% | 28,887 | 25,520 | 21% | 24% | +20.49% | 70,710 | 58,685 |
| FORD RANGER | +109.94% | 15,504 | 7,385 | 11% | 7% | -2.62% | 30,679 | 31,503 |
| NISSAN FRONTIER | +21.59% | 14,294 | 11,756 | 11% | 11% | +18.22% | 54,257 | 45,895 |
| GMC CANYON | +32.70% | 10,121 | 7,627 | 7% | 7% | +39.30% | 26,956 | 19,351 |
| JEEP GLADIATOR | -35.28% | 9,192 | 14,202 | 7% | 13% | -21.33% | 32,670 | 41,528 |
| TOTAL | +26.28% | 135,366 | 107,195 | -9.18% | 342,077 | 376,643 |
The difference of 18K units represents 13 percent of the segment’s sales volume.
Sales Numbers - GM Midsize Mainstream Pickup Trucks - Q3 2024 - USA
| MODEL | Q3 24 / Q3 23 | Q3 24 | Q3 23 | YTD 24 / YTD 23 | YTD 24 | YTD 23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | +13.19% | 28,887 | 25,520 | +20.49% | 70,710 | 58,685 |
| GMC CANYON | +32.70% | 10,121 | 7,627 | +39.30% | 26,956 | 19,351 |
| TOTAL | +17.68% | 39,008 | 33,147 | +25.16% | 97,666 | 78,036 |
While 18,000 units is still quite the gap, it is an improvement compared to the 2018 calendar year – the best sales year for the last-gen Colorado and Canyon. During this time, the GM duo accounted for 168,334 combined deliveries as compared to the Toyota Tacoma at 245,659 sales, placing the two GM trucks roughly 77K units behind the sales leader.
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Pickup Trucks - 2018 - USA
| MODEL | YTD 18 / YTD 17 | YTD 18 | YTD 17 | YTD 18 SHARE | YTD 17 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA TACOMA | +23.99% | 245,659 | 198,125 | 50% | 47% |
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | +19.33% | 134,842 | 112,996 | 27% | 27% |
| NISSAN FRONTIER | +7.11% | 79,646 | 74,360 | 16% | 18% |
| GMC CANYON | +4.32% | 33,492 | 32,106 | 7% | 8% |
| TOTAL | +18.21% | 493,639 | 417,587 |
Those figures break out to 134,842 units for the Chevy Colorado and 33,492 units for the GMC Canyon.
Sales Numbers - GM Midsize Mainstream Pickup Trucks - 2018 - USA
| MODEL | YTD 18 / YTD 17 | YTD 18 | YTD 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | +19.33% | 134,842 | 112,996 |
| GMC CANYON | +4.32% | 33,492 | 32,106 |
| TOTAL | +16.01% | 168,334 | 145,102 |
The 77K difference represents 15.6 percent of segment sales, greater than the 13 percent during Q3 2024.
With GM launching an all-new third-generation for the 2023 model year, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon have a real shot at closing the sales gap, arguably placing GM in a better position than any vehicle before. The third-gen trucks are thoroughly modern, as well as highly capable and stylish. Additionally, the cabins are comfortable and loaded with tech. Put it all together, and you end up with a complete package that could very well grab the spot as the segment sales leader.
There are roadblocks to that goal, however, including quality issues like denting roofs, a lack of a cab-and-bed choices, and the lack of a more-powerful engine option. Check out our list of five improvements we want to see for more information.
That all said, these two midsize GM pickups have a real shot at overtaking the Toyota Tacoma. Rest assured, we’ll keep an eye on things to see what happens next.
Comments
need 6cyl engine…..6ft bed length
LOL man do you really not understand engines? More cylinders does not always mean better. Look at the power that Turbomax puts out, plus it fits quite well in the engine bay
William,
Yes…exactly. It seems instead of building a Bronco competitor, GM tried to focus their small trucks on the off-road niche so as to better compete with the Ford and Jeep’s Wrangler. A better approach would’ve been two separate offerings with a V6 in both. They could’ve developed a modern-day authentic Blazer then a mid-sized truck with different bed and cab choices and less of an off-road focus.
A modern blazer on the Colorado chassis with a full removable top would do so well. So many of these trucks are sold to businesses that they need to have both, though.
Would it? How many would they sell, really? We always say build it and then 3 people do and then we complain when they cancel it.
This is good news. Hopefully it encourages GM to continue to invest in the platform. The ZR2 is a bargain compared to the TuRD.
Another consideration for GM to narrow the gap with the Taco is that the Taco now shares the TNGA-F platform with the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus GX. For product differentiation they dumbed down the Taco relative to the other offerings where it doesn’t even have bump stops and the 8-speed transmission is sh!t. Many current Taco owners refuse to overpay for a less capable/reliable truck – hence the bump in GM twin and Nissan Frontier sales. The new Ranger will also impact the Taco and GM sales.
Did you see the Ranger’s sales numbers? They barely reached 3,000 for ’24 ytd. They aren’t impacting anything.
People were waiting for the 2.7 twin turbo V6 option. Now that it’s available, the Ranger sales should increase.
True, but the Ranger experienced a model changeover like the Taco, I expect those numbers to pick up despite continued Maverick cannibalism. Ranger Raptor is a nice truck.
Tacoma has a plant capable of producing 250,00+ per year. GM does not. Wentzville can’t push that many vehicles and 60,000 per year are Express and Savanna vans. They sell every truck they can make with low incentives and very profitable trims. The can’t physically build to Tacoma volume even if they offered different bed lengths, engines etc. That would just be unnecessary cost and complexity.
Where’s the Honda Ridgeline? It’s a pickup truck, alittle different – but similar, V6, 4×4, comfortable, great amenities, rides great. Maybe pricier…
The ridgeline is a pickup truck just like the Hyundai Santa Fe is a pickup truck. It’s not.
lol that is a unibody car with a bed instead of a trunk
A more powerful engine?? 310 HP and 430 lb/ft of torque in a mid sized truck! The 6.2 V8 puts out 460 lb/ft of torque in a much larger package!