Small SUVs Produced by GM Korea and Exported, 93,538 Units Sold in the US in the First Half of the Year
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Chevrolet Trax, Trailblazer, and other compact sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by Korea GM and exported are leading the market in the U.S., selling over 90,000 units in the first half of this year.
According to Korea GM on the 23rd, the combined U.S. sales volume in the first half of compact SUV models produced and exported by Korea GM, including Trax, Encore, Trailblazer, and Encore GX, reached 93,538 units. This figure exceeds 30% of the total U.S. compact SUV sales (based on 15 compact SUV models), meaning that one out of every three compact SUV buyers in the U.S. purchased a Korea GM product during this period.
In particular, the Chevrolet Trax sold 22,466 units in the second quarter alone, becoming the best-selling model in the U.S. compact SUV market for the second consecutive quarter. The cumulative sales for the first half reached 50,708 units, the highest among 15 compact SUVs sold by mass-market brands. The sibling model 'Buick Encore,' which shares the chassis and powertrain with the Chevrolet Trax, sold 24,271 units during the same period, ranking fifth.
The recently launched Trailblazer and its sibling model Encore GX are also receiving positive responses. The Encore GX, which began full-scale sales in the second quarter, sold 11,857 units in the first half, and the Trailblazer, which started sales in June, recorded sales of 6,702 units. Notably, the Trailblazer was recently selected as one of the 'Fastest Selling Vehicles in the U.S.' by iSeeCars, a North American automotive evaluation organization. The average customer delivery time after dealership arrival for the Trailblazer was surveyed at 19 days.
Korea GM cites the authentic SUV style, lively performance, and safety as the reasons for Trax's popularity in the U.S. The Trax features a traditional SUV style favored in the North American region, including a high roof height and a high-strength body. It also incorporates an integrated body frame that ensures both body rigidity and safety, with high-strength steel applied throughout the body.
The Trailblazer's strengths include three designs tailored to various lifestyles, spacious interior, and a new powertrain that satisfies both performance and efficiency.
Meanwhile, despite the automotive industry's downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trailblazer and Trax recorded export performances of 54,648 units and 38,777 units respectively in the first half.
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