Sales of Compact SUVs in the United States increased 5 percent in the third quarter of 2016, exactly the same rate of growth it achieved in each of the first two quarters of the year. This steady sales growth achieved a total volume of almost 2.3 million sales so far this year, which means the compact crossover segment widened its lead over the shrinking Mid-sized sedan segment as the largest segment in the US.
Highlights for January – September 2016:
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- Thanks to an outstanding third quarter, in which it was the only model to sell over 100,000 units, the Honda CR-V has reclaimed its traditional lead from the Toyota RAV4. The CR-V lost the segment top spot in the beginning of the years, but has returned strongly even though the new generation will launch within a few months’ time.
- The Nissan Rogue was the fastest growing model in the top-5 with sales up 19% in Q3, distancing the Ford Escape, down 8% for the quarter and up just 1% year-to-date.
- The Chevrolet Equinox lost 23% for the second straight quarter and is the biggest loser of the segment along with its sister model GMC Terrain, both in Q3 and year-to-date, where both models are down 19%. GM has already revealed the next generation Equinox, which will get a segment-first diesel engine option.
- The big winner of the segment in Q3 is the Jeep Cherokee, up 28% after losing 7% in Q2. The Cherokee outsold the Equinox in the quarter, but the latter is still comfortably ahead YTD. Jeep has had an excellent quarter in this segment, with both the Patriot and Compass showing double digit gains, even though their replacement has already been revealed. The Wrangler is the brand’s only model to lose volume in Q3.
- The new Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are making great inroads, with Q3 sales up 23% and 41% respectively as both outsold the Terrain this quarter, but the Buick Envision is still taking its time to pick up, with an average of just over 1.500 monthly sales for the China-made model.