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There Are Hardly Any Chevrolet Impala Buyers, But They Pay Well

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#1 ·
There Are Hardly Any Chevrolet Impala Buyers, But They Pay Well
http://www.gminsidenews.com/articles/hardly-chevrolet-impala-buyers-pay-well/

May 12, 2017
Tim Cain

We knew General Motors’ strategy for the tenth-generation Chevrolet Impala would be different when the big sedan was launched in 2013. No longer intended to be the fleet queen and a hugely discounted showroom sedan, the tenth-gen Impala moved upmarket.

Consequently, sales decreased and did so in dramatic fashion. The Impala’s U.S. volume in 2014 was down by more than half compared with 2007 output. Sales continued to fall, with the Impala’s 2016 calendar year result of 97,006 U.S. sales representing the sixth consecutive year of decline.

The Impala’s numbers are getting lower. Much lower. After averaging more than 8,000 monthly Impala sales in 2016 and nearly 10,000 per month as recently as 2015, Impala volume has cratered in early 2017. Only 3,213 Impalas were sold in the United States in April 2017, down 73 percent compared with the Impala’s April average over the last five years.

More at link to GMI thread
 
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#3 ·
So...the ELR "strategy" is working on Impala? Something that actually HAS the value that they charge?
And it's a car I've never seen advertised...other than in concert with those idiot Chibby Gots Awards Mon! idiot ads.

And even 3300/mo = 40,000 a year.
 
#12 · (Edited)
They make it up in volume. And it depends on what you drive onto the lot, how good your trade is.

One month doesn't make a trend. So the Impala only sold 3K in one month this year. Over the last 12 months it's averaged about 6K per month. The article seems a little premature. If the Impala continues to sell like this for the next couple of months then people need to start questioning things.
Roger that. Even Tayoota was down last month.

How is Chevy the value brand again?

Seems that the value is just buying Caddy and ignoring overpriced Impala.

No wonder Malibu is so popular.
There was a time when a loaded Caprice was not far from a 62 Series or deVille base, I forget which was the peon Caddy model in the 60s.

edit: CALAIS.

From 2014. Seems like the last time Chevy had a great commercial about any of their cars.

If only Dean Martin had been available...
 
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#11 ·
One month doesn't make a trend. So the Impala only sold 3K in one month this year. Over the last 12 months it's averaged about 6K per month. The article seems a little premature. If the Impala continues to sell like this for the next coulple of months then people need to start questioning things.
 
#85 · (Edited)
:yup::yup:



True, but the new Impala has actually been a very good seller in its own right considering the class in which it competes and the significantly higher price points commanded by the new generation.

They've moved an average of 6308 units per month, which makes it a strong second place finish....well ahead the 3rd place Chrysler 300. It's spanking the Chrysler 300 (4752 units/month), Ford Taurus (4,021/month), Toyota Avalon (2,835/month), and Hyundai Azera (306/month). It's falling short of the Police-favorite Dodge Charger, which averages 7310 units per month.

Impala is also a Top Pick in Consumer's Reports (like the Cruze) as well as US News' best large sedan. This segment is being hit hard by crossvers, but so long as the Impala is kept reasonably fresh, it will be a survivor with between 60,000 and 90,000 units per year. I'm not sure if I can say the same for the Azera and Kadenza, which are slow sellers despite their very recent redesigns.





After reviewing the numbers, I can arrive at no other conclusion than to dismiss the OP as complete horse**** and typical anti-GM articles from a highly biased news contributor. The Impala is the second best selling car in the segment. It's an award winning full sized sedan that has earned glowing reviews from entities like Consumer Reports that are traditionally hard on Chevrolet products.
:yup:

Well said.

We can add even a little more.

Just go look at all the 'Car' product that does not add up to Impala YTD, and then also the 'Car' product that exceeds it.

The stinkers include in a really really big way - Avalon and Taurus - hence we get this type of article.

One can also gain another type of perspective by looking at the actual unit count losses involved.

And lets face it, while it appears the original author does not even read his own website lists ( which we can all be grateful for although the error rate of late is increasing ) - this is no surprise given how the articles there and @ at TTAC read. Especially concerning Buick and Chevrolet of late.


--


While it is nowhere near as strong a case, Impala 'does not look all that bad' even if you include the CUVs / SUVs with or without a little common sense applied.


--


So..... a blanket, non qualified assertion was made that " There Are Hardly Any Chevrolet Impala Buyers, But They Pay Well ".

OK, fine.

Now lets count up all the non GM - even bigger losers also covered under that statement.

In this way, we will have an adequate start on a list of the irrelevant (my impression ) non GM product ' with hardly any buyers '.


Of course, if the limited, narrowly focused and imo biased 'context' of Impala's 2016 YTD of 38,803 units...... was used against all other 2017 YTD / non GM product as it is against 2017 Impala - we'd have an even bigger, more 'impressive' list.

( Happy to do that for those that desperately need it ....)


--

Chevrolet Impala 25,235


Volkswagen Golf 25,164
Land Rover -Brand 25086
Volkswagen Passat 24,415
Dodge Durango 23,086
Nissan Murano 22,753
Dodge Challenger 22,316
Nissan Frontier 21,913
Hyundai Accent 21,714
Toyota Prius * 21,571
Nissan Maxima 21,161
Jeep Patriot 21,119
Kia Sportage 21,086
Volvo -Brand 20600
Ford Expedition 20,558
Chrysler 300 19,011
Porsche -Brand 18247
BMW 3-Series 18,131
Toyota Yaris 17,600
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 17,374
Ford E-Series 17,274
Subaru Legacy 17,102
Honda Fit 16,773
BMW X3 16,773
Lexus NX 16,417
Ford Fiesta 16,373 15,325
Audi Q5 16,340
Ford Taurus 16,104 All including PPV
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 15,726
BMW X5 15,472

Nissan Titan 15,328 4,281 258% :);)

Acura MDX 15,008
Acura RDX 14,793
Jaguar -Brand 14606 6084 140% :);)
Mini -Brand 13732
Ford Taurus * 13,562 Non PPV - so includes all other fleet and retail -
Volkswagen Tiguan 13,150
Infiniti Q50 13,009
Mazda 6 12,941
Honda Ridgeline 12,910 2 645,400% :lmao:
Lexus ES 12,906
Ram ProMaster 12,748

--

Less than 50 % of Impala YTD


Tesla -Brand † 12400
Acura TLX 12,382
Toyota Yaris iA * 12,314
Mitsubishi Outlander 12,305
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 12,261
Jeep Compass 12,072
Audi A4 12,050
BMW 4-Series 11,962
Infiniti QX60 11,472
Toyota Avalon 11,343
Audi A4 Sedan * 11,236
Ford Explorer Police Interceptor * 11,192
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI * 10,729
Audi Q7 10,570 9
Lincoln MKX 10,345
Mini Cooper 10,098
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 10,006

- and less than 10,000 YTD


Ford Transit Connect 9,865
Fiat -Brand 9770
BMW 5-Series 9,754
Mitsubishi Mirage 9,606
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 9,552
Chrysler 200 9,477
Kia Sedona 9,437
Lincoln MKZ 9,301
Nissan Armada 9,298
BMW X1 9,169
Lincoln MKC 8,637
Mazda CX-9 8,432
Audi A3 8,193
Lexus IS 7,858
Kia Niro 7,828
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 7,817
Land Rover Range Rover Sport 7,778
Infiniti QX30 7,740
Ford Flex 7,627
Toyota Corolla iM * 7,317
Volkswagen Golf GTI * 7,307
Lexus GX 7,306
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 7,254
Porsche Macan 7,037
Land Rover Range Rover 6,949
Volvo XC90 6,917
Infiniti QX80 6,691
Jaguar F-Pace 6,618
Genesis -Brand 6554
Hyundai Veloster 6,471
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack * 6,269
Nissan NV200 6,192
Toyota Prius Prime * 6,165
Mitsubishi Lancer 6,053
Nissan NV 5,990 6,113
Dodge Dart 5,944
Volvo XC60 5,782
Audi Q3 5,612
Infiniti QX50 5,515
Volkswagen Beetle 5,405
Toyota Yaris Hatchback * 5,286
Fiat 500 5,221
Audi A6 5,186
Land Rover Discovery Sport 5,156
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5,139
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 5,077
Nissan Juke 5,074
Ford C-Max 5,063
Toyota Prius C 5,061


Less than 20 % of Impala 2017 YTD volume.


Genesis G80 5,035
Porsche Cayenne 4,897
Mazda CX-3 4,861
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 4,794
Mazda MX-5 Miata 4,701
Ram ProMaster City 4,638
Volkswagen Golf * 4,591
Maserati -Brand 4553
Kia Rio 4,535
Toyota Sequoia 4,385
Nissan Leaf 4,350
Lincoln Continental 4,212
Infiniti Q60 4,115
Nissan Quest 4,035


Below 4,000 units YTD

Volvo S60 3,950
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen * 3,895
Volvo S60 * 3,890
Jaguar XE 3,764
Mini Countryman 3,627
Toyota Prius V 3,545
Mini Cooper 2-Door * 3,451
Infiniti QX70 3,411


Lincoln Navigator 3,191
BMW 7-Series 3,097
BMW 2-Series 3,097
Volkswagen Beetle Coupe * 3,096
Acura ILX 3,088
Porsche 911 2,958
Fiat 500X 2,724 4,386
Ford Taurus Police Interceptor * 2,542


Less than 10 % of Impala 2017 YTD volume


Lexus CT 2,486
Mini Cooper Clubman * 2,450
Mini Cooper 4-Door * 2,445
Toyota 86/Scion FR-S 2,421
Infiniti Q70 2,405
Audi A5 2,318
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible * 2,309
Lexus GS 2,292
BMW X6 2,089
Lexus RC 2,083
Maserati Ghibli 1,925
BMW i3 1,919
Lexus LX 1,895
Audi A7 1,885
Volkswagen Golf R * 1,828
Mercedes-Benz Metris 1,809
Alfa Romeo -Brand 1783
Mini Cooper Convertible * 1,751
Volvo V60 1,748 1,487
Maserati Levante 1,726
Porsche Panamera 1,715
Jaguar XF 1,686 3,288
Hyundai Ioniq 1,648
Nissan 370Z 1,637
Kia Cadenza 1,625
Alfa Romeo Giulia 1,600
Jaguar F-Type 1,572
Volvo S90 1,525
Genesis G90 1,519
Subaru BRZ 1,431
Smart -Brand 1426
Smart Fortwo 1,426
Fiat 124 Spider 1,426
Mercedes-Benz G-Class 1,373
Volkswagen e-Golf * 1,274
Lexus LS 1,238 1,637
Hyundai Azera 1,225
Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class 1,191
BMW X4 1,179
Audi A8 1,084
Volkswagen Touareg 1,040
Toyota Land Cruiser 1,033
BMW 6-Series 1,029
Lincoln MKT 1,008
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 994
Jaguar XJ 966
Volvo V60 * 962
Porsche Cayman 883
Audi TT 819
Hyundai Genesis 814
Audi A4 Allroad * 814
Volvo V60 CC * 786
Porsche Boxster 757
Ferrari -Brand 734
Bentley -Brand 720
Volkswagen CC 712
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 649
Volvo V90 CC 613
Maserati Quattroporte 555
Toyota C-HR 550
Rolls-Royce -Brand 480
BMW Z4 455
Honda CR-Z 421
Chrysler Town & Country 418
Toyota Mirai 417
Land Rover LR4 409
Acura RLX 399
Fiat 500L 399
Mercedes-AMG GT 364
Maserati GranTurismo 347
Bentley Continental GT 330
Lamborghini -Brand 301
Audi R8 301
Nissan GT-R 246
Dodge Viper 234
Mercedes-Benz B-Class 225
Acura NSX 224
Alfa Romeo 4C 183
BMW i8 180
Scion tC 156
Kia K900 147
Honda FCX 126
Lincoln MKS 80
Bentley Bentayga 77
Bentley Flying Spur 69
Volvo XC70 60
Volvo S60 CC * 60
Bentley Mulsanne 35
Hyundai Equus 16
Toyota Venza 11
Mini Paceman 8
Ford GT 7
Mitsubishi i MiEV 6 14
Mazda 5 6
Volvo S80 5
Honda Crosstour 3
Toyota FJ Cruiser 2
Honda Insight 2
Nissan Xterra 1


None so far in 2017. 2016 included for comparison and additional context.


Porsche 918 Spyder --- 1
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG --- 1
Acura TSX --- 2
Mazda 2 --- 3
Land Rover LR2 --- 3 -
Jaguar XK --- 3
Scion iQ --- 4
Lexus LFA --- 5
Scion xD --- 8
Nissan Cube --- 14
Ram Cargo Van --- 19
Dodge Avenger --- 31
Infiniti Q40 --- 52
Volkswagen Eos --- 381
Scion xB --- 2,418
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen * --- 1
 
#14 · (Edited)
When this gen Impala first came out, reviewers were urging that buyers purchase the LaCrosse rather than Impala, due to greater value in important areas, at a small increase in purchase price.

Which underlines the basic problem of the Impala, it's new design and much greater cost is offputting to the demographic it relies on, which is seen in not only the Impala lack of popularity, but LaCrosse as well.

Malibu, having grown in size and been the recipient of better pricing and content inclusion lower in the price ranges, has cannibalized Impala, and Lacrosse sales too, due to the lack of other Buick models.

GM marketing strategy is pushing people away, hidden by the greater ATP's they've created, at the expense of customer satisfaction, or customer base size.
 
#17 · (Edited)
I have to think we were the target market, mid 60's middle income, but financially pretty conservative. Wouldn't say we would never buy new, but not our first choice.

In 2014 we were ready to say adios to our '03 Avalon and had rented a couple Heritage Impalas for pretty long trips. We REALLY liked them. The 3.6 got great mileage, and the 6 speed was annoying but tolerable. Would gladly have traded some mileage for a 4T65 but since that wasn't an option I could live with the new tranny. While at the dealer we looked at and drove the new Impala, I won't lie, it was nice and definitely better than than Heritage model, but the price! The cost to move up to the V6 was too much and the 4 cylinder was not appealing.

Crazy thing was she also drove a 4 cylinder Equinox and liked it. Finding a clean 1-2 year old Equinox proved impossible and we ended up with a '14 Captiva. Doubt we'll ever own a sedan again. Traveling in the CUV is so much more comfortable and gas is a small portion of our expenses, at home or traveling.

Just for the record, we don't shop luxury brands. Just have never found them appealing or much of a value. If you do, then you do. I do presently drive a Rendezvous but bought it from a family member and it's an '06 with 144K so I don't have much tied up in it. Was looking for a first Gen Equinox/Torrent or Aztec when this became available and it was close enough.

I would guess that like us a large portion of the target market have moved on. It seems like a good product, maybe a little pricey for what is supposed to be a value brand.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Is it DYING or waning?

I remember, back when Brontosaurii roamed, a certain segment less aware of The Great Spirit than Neanderthal, cro-magnon, would panic every time the moon started to wane. They thought the moon was dying! But it wasn't! It waned! Then it waxed!
I see wisdom in your words!
I see semantics.

It isn't an ebb and flow, wax and wane effect.

No, it's a shrinking market, and they are alienating the demographic of that market.

Larkbill fleshed out the trend of being put off, and of once seeing what else there is, not coming back.

Some of the move to CUV's is self inflicted.

There is no reason for an equal and opposite effect/pendulum swing of the market segment to grow, unless the things that drive people away change, and the damage to consumer desire for that product is repaired.

The colloquial term is stepping on one's own member.
 
#26 ·
It should be noted that the W-body was made until July last year, so the YOY comparisons, are gonna stink, especially for the first 6 or 7 months of 2017.

GM reaped the benefit of selling 2 cars under one badge, (acting like the new Impala was selling +/- 10,000/month, are now living the angst of comparing last year's two-Impala sales, to this year's one.

And fleet has been awfully high, not the ~65% it was, but still higher than anyone would expect, I'll have to look it up in the morning on my work PC.
 
#27 · (Edited)
It should be noted that the W-body was made until July last year, so the YOY comparisons, are gonna stink, especially for the first 6 or 7 months of 2017.
True, but the new Impala has actually been a very good seller in its own right considering the class in which it competes and the significantly higher price points commanded by the new generation.

They've moved an average of 6308 units per month, which makes it a strong second place finish....well ahead the 3rd place Chrysler 300. It's spanking the Chrysler 300 (4752 units/month), Ford Taurus (4,021/month), Toyota Avalon (2,835/month), and Hyundai Azera (306/month). It's falling short of the Police-favorite Dodge Charger, which averages 7310 units per month.

Impala is also a Top Pick in Consumer's Reports (like the Cruze) as well as US News' best large sedan. This segment is being hit hard by crossvers, but so long as the Impala is kept reasonably fresh, it will be a survivor with between 60,000 and 90,000 units per year. I'm not sure if I can say the same for the Azera and Kadenza, which are slow sellers despite their very recent redesigns.





After reviewing the numbers, I can arrive at no other conclusion than to dismiss the OP as complete horse**** and typical anti-GM articles from a highly biased news contributor. The Impala is the second best selling car in the segment. It's an award winning full sized sedan that has earned glowing reviews from entities like Consumer Reports that are traditionally hard on Chevrolet products.
 
#30 ·
If they targeted the 60+ demographic as their customer, they terribly misjudged us and they apparently used young whipper snappers to do their research. I am in my late 60s and I gave up my Impala and got a compact SUV for 3 reasons. We have aged to where our knees, backs and hips don't move like they once did and we buy the SUV/truck/van type vehicles because we find them easier to get in and out of. Secondly, we can't turn our heads as well as we once did and our eyes don't see as well as they once did and we find the taller SUV type vehicle is easier to see out. Last of all, I like my SUV because I can get stuff I need in and out of it much easier than I can a trunk. We buy what works best for us and the Impala and similar cars don't do it for us.
 
#35 ·
“Many of our competitors are building large cars for practice. We are building them for profit,” GM spokesperson Jim Cain (no relation) told TTAC yesterday.
To me, this is the key part. I don't care how many they sell as long as what they sell is profitable. I read many of the posts and they make me think many on GMI would prefer GM to go back to their old ways, sell a lot at no profit (or even a loss) for the sole intention of bragging rights. I'd rather GM brag about $12B in profits and be the 3rd largest automaker by volume vs. $2B in profit but #1 in volume.
 
#37 · (Edited)
I have owned 3 Impalas since 00 all 3 W-bodies. They have all been great cars and great values. The 2013 is the best of the bunch save one thing. The 3.6/6 speed combo do provide great power and highway mileage. The problem is the NVH levels and the sometimes rough clunky shifting 6 speed automatic. The 3.6 in mine is obnoxiously loud when cold and actually vibrates the steering wheel until fully warmed up. I have driven other 2012-2013 Impala's with the same engine and for some reason the 2012's seem a bit quieter. It does show a change in exhaust part numbers so I presume GM cheapened that so more noise reaches the cabin on the 2013's.

I did drive a new style Epsilon 2017 Impala LT with the 3.6 and found it a big improvement over my 2013 in all but one area. The seats were a downgrade from my 2013's. Firmer with cheaper materials. Who at GM thought that vinyl and harsh faker cloth inserts is supposed to be upper scale needs a serious reality check. The normal far easier to clean cloth in my 2013 is superior in every way to the new crap they are using and I can sit in the seat all day and not be fatigued. The new seats are still reasonably comfortable but the bottom is harder so I have to get out and walk around more frequently. The leather seat option seems a bit softer and more comfy. A good way to make you spend more for the upper trim level.

Otherwise the Epsilon Impala is a better car than my W-body in every other way. The 3.6 is way smoother and quieter. The 6 speed shifts like it's a whole different transmission. The ride and handling are vastly better as are the brakes, steering, road noise is nearly half of my W-body and the new car has a lot more equipment. Telescoping steering wheels, USB and USB charging ports, hidden compartment storage, auto down power windows, rear seat air vents, touch screens, automatic climate control and the various safety items like Bliss and traffic alerts were all pipe dreams in any of the W-body cars. And while the initial 2014 new style Impala was indeed pricier than the W-body new I am able to purchase a lightly used 2016 LT Epsilon Impala with under 20K miles for 15995. That is the same price as I paid for my 2013 W-body Impala with 22K miles! That is of course with the 2.5 base engine. The V6 models are usually 16995 and the moonroof equipped special paint cars are typically 17995. Those are very obtainable prices for me and the Epsilon Impala is on my short shopping list to replace the 2013 when the time comes.
 
#41 ·
#47 ·
I was at the Chevy dealership last week to have the tires rotated & balanced on my '15 Impala. Walking around the lot, I only saw 1 new Impala, but at least 30 new Malibus. The sales person I was talking to said the Impala had only been there a few days. So, with regular unleaded gas hovering around $2.00 here, I think a lot of their customers are like me, they would rather have a smoother, quieter, more powerful, v6 Impala, than a 4 cyl Malibu.
 
#52 · (Edited)
Mary Bara has already openly questioned the future of the Impala so my guess is that...like Ford...they are going to slowly starve those remaining customers out and migrate them over to Crossovers or Midsizers, especially since all of those products are newer. This is a strategy that probably works better for Ford considering they factory constraints and the increased demand for Explorers slowly replacing Taurus production. Buick LaCrosse can handle the rest of those customers, especially since it's a product that can be propped up by Chinese demand unlike the Chevy.
 
#53 · (Edited)
"If they targeted the 60+ demographic as their customer, they terribly misjudged us and they apparently used young whipper snappers to do their research. I am in my late 60s and I gave up my Impala and got a compact SUV for 3 reasons. We have aged to where our knees, backs and hips don't move like they once did and we buy the SUV/truck/van type vehicles because we find them easier to get in and out of. Secondly, we can't turn our heads as well as we once did and our eyes don't see as well as they once did and we find the taller SUV type vehicle is easier to see out. Last of all, I like my SUV because I can get stuff I need in and out of it much easier than I can a trunk. We buy what works best for us and the Impala and similar cars don't do it for us."


What he said.
 
#64 ·
I guess it depends on what you need the space for, most CUV's appear to have more room than they actually do, the Impala trunk is absolutely massive.


I should have taken a picture, the other day we went to the mall to "un-wind" my daughter (it was raining and she was going stir-crazy). We entered via the Sears store, like we almost always do, the parcel pick-up location, a lady was absolutely livid, she couldn't get the stuff she bought in her big Land Rover, she only had 2 boxes, they weren't that big, one was a microwave and something else similar in size, not enough room in the rear-cargo for both, and the 2nd would barely fit in the front-passenger door.

We didn't stay to watch but I could tell she was seriously dumbfounded; "I've got this massive SUV and I can't haul 2 boxes" was the look on her face, I think she was about to leave one of her kids at the store, just to get the stuff home!
 
#69 ·
A 19 day supply is absurd. GM is in the business of producing and selling cars not rationing them. every person who doesn't buy a GM passenger car buys something else and that's not good for GM. forget PUP and all that. Put Impalas out on the lots and into the hands of owners.
 
#70 ·
yes been a car guy as well, but ive really liked the 4 srxs Ive had. even the current one with fwd is a nice driving and cornering vehicle. I'm thinking about a SS but it just doesn't have the utility, especially with a 2nd kid on the way and a dog that will probably end up riding in the back.
 
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