U.S. sales of full-size cars continued their nosedive in March 2017, plunging 11% despite a big increase from the Chevrolet SS and modest improvements from the Nissan Maxima and Buick LaCrosse.
U.S. Vehicle Sales By Model - April 2017 YTDU.S. Car Sales Rankings By Model - March 2017 YTD
For the SS, GM's 20% off incentives in March rose volume to an all-time high of 1217 units, a paltry total, but one that helps GM clear out stock of the discontinued, Aussie-built, V8-engined, rear-wheel-drive sedan. |
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The class leader in March, and through the first-quarter of 2017, was the Dodge Charger, sales of which are down 15% so far this year.
Together, the Charger and its corporate Chrysler 300 partner accounted for 32% of the sales from the category in March.
You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly U.S. auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. This table is sortable, so you can rank large cars any which way you like. Mobile users can now thumb across the table for full-width access. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.
Click Column Headers To Sort • February 2017 • March 2016 Large Car | March 2017 | March 2016 | % Change | 2017 YTD | 2016 YTD | % Change |
| 2330 | 2275 | 2.4% | 4985 | 8975 | -44.5% |
| 8885 | 11,465 | -22.5% | 22,022 | 30,554 | -27.9% |
| 1217 | 286 | 326% | 1529 | 539 | 184% |
| 4969 | 6172 | -19.5% | 15,063 | 17,141 | -12.1% |
| 8236 | 8798 | -6.4% | 22,319 | 26,345 | -15.3% |
| 4641 | 5182 | -10.4% | 12,686 | 13,456 | -5.7% |
| 380 | 508 | -25.2% | 952 | 1355 | -29.7% |
| 437 | 593 | -26.3% | 1125 | 1552 | -27.5% |
| 6961 | 6588 | 5.7% | 15,597 | 16,225 | -3.9% |
| 3483 | 4643 | -25.0% | 8596 | 12,201 | -29.5% |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Total | 41,539 | 46,510 | -10.7% | 104,874 | 128,343 | -18.3% |
Source: Automakers* Hyundai USA, not GoodCarBadCar, chooses to combine sales figures for the Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe, forcing us to include the Genesis with these volume-brand cars on pricing grounds before we even get to the "brand status" issue.GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.
RECOMMENDED READINGLarge Car Sales In America - February 2017Large Car Sales In America - March 2016Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - March 2017U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - March 2017Midsize Car Sales In America - March 2017
Buick continues to build new, third-generation LaCrosse sedans for the flagship Buick's first model year. But Buick continues to have a great deal of difficulty actually selling new LaCrosses.
U.S. Vehicle Sales By Model - February 2017 YTDU.S. Car Sales By Model - February 2017 YTD
Only 1348 copies of the LaCrosse were sold in the United States in February 2017, the second consecutive month with fewer than 1400 LaCrosse sales in America. Only three years ago, Buick was selling 4300 LaCrosses per month. Seven years ago, still suffering from auto sales doldrums, the U.S. auto industry included 5100 LaCrosse sales per month. In 2017, of course, car sales are falling rapidly as the market turns toward SUVs/crossovers just in time for a new LaCrosse introduction. But the LaCrosse is the new competitor in the field. Moreover, the LaCrosse's competitors are down just 20%, year-over-year. |
Click Chart To Expand |
But LaCrosse sales continue to plummet, and Buick now has nearly one year's worth of LaCrosse supply.
Meanwhile, a Buick LaCrosse relative, the Chevrolet Impala, led America's full-size sedan segment despite a 22% drop in February. Elsewhere, nearly every car in the category lost volume, year-over-year, aside from the Chrysler 300's 1.5% uptick and a 50% increase in Chevrolet SS sales as the model nears its death.
You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly U.S. auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. This table is sortable, so you can rank large cars any which way you like. Mobile users can now thumb across the table for full-width access. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.
Click Column Headers To Sort • March 2017 • January 2017 • February 2016 Large Car | Feb. 2017 | Feb. 2016 | % Change | 2017 YTD | 2016 YTD | % Change |
| 1348
| 2643 | -49.0% | 2655 | 6700 | -60.4% |
| 7165
| 9147 | -21.7% | 13,137 | 19,089 | -31.2% |
| 248 | 165 | 50.3% | 312 | 253 | 23.3% |
| 5386
| 5304 | 1.5% | 10,094 | 10,969 | -8.0% |
| 6930
| 8765 | -20.9% | 14,083 | 17,547 | -19.7% |
| 4680
| 4707 | -0.6% | 8045 | 8274 | -2.8% |
| 294
| 438 | -32.9% | 572 | 847 | -32.5% |
| 302
| 2976 | -89.9% | 488 | 4883 | -90.0% |
| 372 | 585 | -36.4% | 688 | 959 | -28.3% |
| 4898
| 5222 | -6.2% | 8636 | 9637 | -10.4% |
| 2610
| 3961 | -34.1% | 5113 | 7558 | -32.4% |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Total | 34,233 | 43,913 | -22.0% | 63,823 | 86,716 | -26.4% |
Source: Automakers* Hyundai USA, not GoodCarBadCar, chooses to combine sales figures for the Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe, forcing us to include the Genesis with these volume-brand cars on pricing grounds before we even get to the "brand status" issue.GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.
RECOMMENDED READINGLarge Car Sales In America - March 2017Large Car Sales In America - January 2017Large Car Sales In America - February 2016Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - February 2017U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - February 2017Midsize Car Sales In America - February 2017
Why did U.S. sales of passenger cars tumble 13%, year-over-year, in January 2017?
U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model - January 2017
U.S. Car Sales Rankings By Model - January 2017
Part of the blame belongs to full-size volume brand sedans, sales of which tumbled 31% in January. Every nameplate in the category – the transitioning Buick LaCrosse, departing Hyundai Azera and Genesis, newer Nissan Maxima, refreshed Kia Cadenza – sold fewer copies in January 2017 than in January 2016.2017 may not be all bad. We'll continue to see year-over-year losses from the likes of the Hyundai Azera, for instance. But as Buick replaces the old LaCrosse with new, we won't continue to see 68% year-over-year drops for GM's mid-tier big car. |
Click Chart To Expand |
As for leaders like the Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger, their rapid declines are representative of a market that''s fleeing cars in favour of SUVs and crossovers.
While total car volume slid 13% in January, utility vehicle volume rose 10%
You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly U.S. auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. This table is sortable, so you can rank large cars any which way you like. Mobile users can now thumb across the table for full-width access. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.
Click Column Headers To Sort • December 2016 • January 2016 Large Car | Jan. 2017 | Jan. 2016 | % Change | 2017 YTD | 2016 YTD | % Change |
| 1307 | 4057 | -67.8% | 1307 | 4057 | -67.8% |
| 5972 | 9942 | -39.9% | 5972 | 9942 | -39.9% |
| 64 | 88 | -27.3% | 64 | 88 | -27.3% |
| 4708 | 5665 | -16.9% | 4708 | 5665 | -16.9% |
| 7153 | 8782 | -18.5% | 7153 | 8782 | -18.5% |
| 3365 | 3567 | -5.7% | 3365 | 3567 | -5.7% |
| 278 | 409 | -32.0% | 278 | 409 | -32.0% |
| 186 | 1907 | -90.2% | 186 | 1907 | -90.2% |
| 316 | 374 | -15.5% | 316 | 374 | -15.5% |
| 3738 | 4415 | -15.3% | 3738 | 4415 | -15.3% |
| 2503 | 3597 | -30.4% | 2503 | 3597 | -30.4% |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Total | 29,590 | 42,803 | -30.9% | 29,590 | 42,803 | -30.9% |
Source: Automakers* Hyundai USA, not GoodCarBadCar, chooses to combine sales figures for the Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe, forcing us to include the Genesis with these volume-brand cars on pricing grounds before we even get to the "brand status" issue.GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.
RECOMMENDED READINGLarge Car Sales In America - February 2017Large Car Sales In America - December 2016Large Car Sales In America - January 2016Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - January 2017Midsize Car Sales In America - January 2017U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - January 2017
Despite a modest improvement from the Chrysler 300, a slight uptick in sales of the low-volume Chevrolet SS, and a 10-year sales high from the Nissan Maxima, U.S. sales of volume brand full-size sedans slid 8% in calendar year 2016.
U.S. Car Sales Rankings By Model - 2016 Year EndU.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model - 2016 Year End
Overall, the passenger car market fell somewhat harder, sliding 9% even as total auto sales reached record highs. Subtract the Hyundai Genesis – the Coupe is dying and the sedan is now marketed at a premium brand as the Genesis G80 – and these full-size cars were down 7%. |
Click Chart To Expand |
The Chevrolet Impala was the segment leader in outright volume, narrowly besting the Dodge Charger by 1569 units. Combined, the Impala and Buick LaCrosse generated 124,588 U.S. sales in 2016. The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 earned 148,678 sales in 2016.
Detroit nameplates owned 69% of the segment's sales in 2016, down from 71% in 2015.
You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly U.S. auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. This table is sortable, so you can rank large cars any which way you like. Mobile users can now thumb across the table for full-width access. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.
Click Column Headers To Sort • January 2017 • November 2016 • December 2015 Large Car | Dec. 2016 | Dec. 2015 | % Change | 2016 | 2015 | % Change |
| 2826 | 3158 | -10.5% | 27,582 | 42,035 | -34.4% |
| 10,794 | 9060 | 19.1% | 97,006 | 116,825 | -17.0% |
| 94 | 134 | -29.9% | 3013 | 2895 | 4.1% |
| 3584 | 4269 | -16.0% | 53,241 | 53,025 | 0.4% |
| 7237 | 8309 | -12.9% | 95,437 | 96,633 | -1.2% |
| 4101 | 4022 | 2.0% | 44,098 | 48,816 | -9.7% |
| 384 | 358 | 7.3% | 4942 | 5539 | -10.8% |
| 426 | 3094 | -86.2% | 23,230 | 31,374 | -26.0% |
| 428 | 598 | -28.4% | 4738 | 7343 | -35.5% |
| 5293 | 4771 | 10.9% | 62,670 | 40,359 | 55.3% |
| 5051 | 5816 | -13.2% | 48,080 | 60,065 | -20.0% |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Total | 40,218 | 43,589 | -7.7% | 464,037 | 504,909 | -8.1% |
Source: Automakers* Hyundai USA, not GoodCarBadCar, chooses to combine sales figures for the Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe, forcing us to include the Genesis with these volume-brand cars on pricing grounds before we even get to the "brand status" issue.GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.
RECOMMENDED READINGLarge Car Sales In America - January 2017Large Car Sales In America - November 2016Large Car Sales In America - December 2015Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America In 2016U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings In 2016Midsize Car Sales In America - December & 2016 Year End
Full-size, volume brand sedan sales plunged 19% in the United States in November 2016, falling at more than twice the rate of decline produced by the same batch of cars through the first ten months of 2016.
U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model - November 2016 YTDU.S. Car Sales Rankings By Model - November 2016 YTD
Topped in November by the surging Dodge Charger – sales of which jumped by a third in November and are flat, year-to-date – the segment also enjoyed gains from the Nissan Maxima, the low-volume Hyundai Azera, and the niche market Chevrolet SS. |
Click Chart To Expand |
But this is a dying breed of cars.
More affordable midsize cars are exceedingly spacious these days.
And customers that desire premium cars want premium-badged cars. A Ford Taurus SEL is not a Lexus ES.
You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly U.S. auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. This table is sortable, so you can rank large cars any which way you like. Mobile users can now thumb across the table for full-width access. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.
Click Column Headers To Sort • December 2016 • October 2016 • November 2015 Large Car | Nov. 2016 | Nov. 2015 | % Change | 2016 YTD | 2015 YTD | % Change |
| 2427 | 3351 | -27.6% | 24,756 | 38,877 | -36.3% |
| 6082 | 10,494 | -42.0% | 86,212 | 107,765 | -20.0% |
| 212 | 148 | 43.2% | 2919 | 2761 | 5.7% |
| 2566 | 4635 | -44.6% | 49,657 | 48,756 | 1.8% |
| 9138 | 6804 | 34.3% | 88,200 | 88,323 | -0.1% |
| 2774 | 3187 | -13.0% | 39,997 | 44,794 | -10.7% |
| 424 | 299 | 41.8% | 4558 | 5181 | -12.0% |
| 560 | 1837 | -69.5% | 22,804 | 28,280 | -19.4% |
| 268 | 847 | -68.4% | 4310 | 6745 | -36.1% |
| 4093 | 3884 | 5.4% | 57,377 | 35,588 | 61.2% |
| 4326 | 5129 | -15.7% | 43,029 | 54,249 | -20.7% |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Total | 32,870 | 40,615 | -19.1% | 423,819 | 461,319 | -8.1% |
Source: Automakers* Hyundai USA, not GoodCarBadCar, chooses to combine sales figures for the Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe, forcing us to include the Genesis with these volume-brand cars on pricing grounds before we even get to the "brand status" issue.GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.
RECOMMENDED READINGLarge Car Sales In America - December & 2016 Year EndLarge Car Sales In America - October 2016Large Car Sales In America - November 2015Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - November 2016U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - November 2016 Midsize Car Sales In America - November 2016