Sonic sales taking a dive

[wpgsonic]

Was surprised at how much Sonic sales have taken a dive in this article.Down 66% in one year is terrible.Some interesting speculation on why in the article as well.I wonder how long they will continue to make the Sonic,there are rumors the Sonic is one of the cars that are on the chopping block for GM.I hope they stick with it...

Chevy Sonic Sales Numbers October 2017 | GM Authority

 

[Papasonic]

One of the reasons for poor sales is the incentives placed on higher priced models; the Cruze, and Malibu are good examples. This summer (August) we were going to replace the wife's 2012 Sonic with a new model Sonic. Not only were there hardly any in stock to choose from, but there were incentives on the Cruze and Malibu of 23-25% off of msrp. At the same time the incentive on the Sonic was $500.00; and there were only 2 units in stock.

To purchase a Sonic that would be equivalent to our 2012 LTZ, we would have to order it: The incentives were only on in stock units. To make the story shorter, we purchased an in stock 2017 Malibu LT 1.5 for the same money as a similarly equipped Sonic.

We have 3 fairly large Chevy dealers nearby. They all stock large quantities of Cruze and Malibu; two of these dealers have 2 Sonic's, the other has 5, mostly LS models ill equipped.

It doesn't surprise me at all regarding the poor sales. It isn't that the car is undesirable or has poor quality or reliability; rather the dealers apparently don't see enough profit margin potential to justify stocking them.

 

[Gimpster]

That and, unless it has SUV/CUV/Crossover in the description... people don't seem to want it now.

I know that link says otherwise, but...

 

[Endura RS]

I'm betting '18 is the final year. No new conceptual ideas have been pushed in the last year. I think the Spark will stay, evolving closer to the present Sonic in time. Bolt will continue to gain momentum and become more popular.

 

[Maddmatts]

The Cruze now being offered as a 5-door is also adding to the glut of hatchback options.

 

[JTee2017]

The Cruze now being offered as a 5-door is also adding to the a glut of hatchback options.

That's a big part of it. The truth is, all cars, sedans, etc have been taking a hit in selling since so many want an SUV or CUV . .. . or a truck.

And, the Cruze has had very generous rebates for the past several months in the U.S. We bought our Sonic in September and could have gotten a 2017 Cruze 5 door HB for the same price as our Sonic LT HB. . about $17,500. Maybe even a bit less.

We looked at the Cruze very closely. Wife did not like the "down turned" rear roofline. And, the cargo area in the Cruze is about the same as the Sonic HB at 47.2 cu.ft. plus the Cruze hatch opening is cramped and a pain.

Also, the Sonic has more potential front passenger room and is easier to get in and out of with a higher door sill and seating. Not a thing for some people.
We view the Sonic as a mini version of out 2015 Equinox, but even more fun to drive.

Lastly, I personally like the simplicity of the Sonic all around. No gasoline Direct Injection and it's issues, ease of repairs and maintenance, and it just feels larger while inside and driving. . . . although very nimble in the turns.

 

[Papasonic]

JTee2017:
All good points for choosing the Sonic vs a Cruze. That is some of the same observations I noticed; there seems to be more front legroom in the Sonic than the Cruze because of the wider center stack on the Cruze. Another plus is the Sonic is made in the USA; the Cruze hatch, Mexico. We fully intended to get another Sonic, but the lure of such a great price on the Malibu overshadowed my vision of another Sonic; another plus for the Malibu; it is made in the GM Fairfax assembly plant, Kansas City KS.

 

[dannyg]

One more plus for the Sonic is that it doesn't have Start/Stop. The Cruze has it on automatics. No sale to me, that's for sure. The manual-tranny Cruze doesn't have it, at least.

So far I've been happy with the Sonic, it does everything I ask it to do...and fun to drive.

The Cruze Redline looks pretty snappy, but is only available with automatic! No sale.

EDIT: Sonic sales down "only" 11% in November, not great but not the 66% decline in October.

 

[gnonne]

Another thought... Now that Sonics have been out for a while, a good used model can be had for a much lower cost than a new one - some changes on the newer models, but not many.

Example: If you are willing to pay 10-13k, you can get a very nice used Sonic from Carvana.com delivered to your door. These stickered at $18-20k when new with few incentives.

 

[sleepybird09]

i blame the SS sedan styling.

sure did not help sell the ss sedan.

also alot of the crossovers are getting similar mpg. i think the mazda cx5 gets better mpg. not sure tho.

 

[skurtov]

That's a big part of it. The truth is, all cars, sedans, etc have been taking a hit in selling since so many want an SUV or CUV . .. . or a truck.

And, the Cruze has had very generous rebates for the past several months in the U.S. We bought our Sonic in September and could have gotten a 2017 Cruze 5 door HB for the same price as our Sonic LT HB. . about $17,500. Maybe even a bit less.

We looked at the Cruze very closely. Wife did not like the "down turned" rear roofline. And, the cargo area in the Cruze is about the same as the Sonic HB at 47.2 cu.ft. plus the Cruze hatch opening is cramped and a pain.

Also, the Sonic has more potential front passenger room and is easier to get in and out of with a higher door sill and seating. Not a thing for some people.
We view the Sonic as a mini version of out 2015 Equinox, but even more fun to drive.

Lastly, I personally like the simplicity of the Sonic all around. No gasoline Direct Injection and it's issues, ease of repairs and maintenance, and it just feels larger while inside and driving. . . . although very nimble in the turns.

Modern direct injection engines really don't have the cursed valve buildup. Especially with how good our PCV filters out oil when it functions correctly. Also the new 1.4L T is direct injection. Its the same engine in the Cruze but tuned down.

 

[JTee2017]

Modern direct injection engines really don't have the cursed valve buildup. Especially with how good our PCV filters out oil when it functions correctly. Also the new 1.4L T is direct injection. Its the same engine in the Cruze but tuned down.

Incorrect. . .. the Sonic 1.4L Turbo engine is still MPFI. .. . not GDI. There IS a GM 1.4L turbo 153 HP but used in other GM vehicles, but not the Sonic. The Cruze has the Newer 1.4L GDI engine. . . The Sonic engine is not simply "detuned". Do you have a link showing this?

As to "How good our PVC filters oil" . . .. Details on how that is any different than it has been since so many Sonic 1.4L owners sight tubo and intake manifold oil contamination.

From the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Order Guide P.17 - - -

LUV
Engine
ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing
DOHC 4-cylinder sequential MFI (138 hp [103 kW] @
4900 rpm, 148 lb-ft of torque [199.8 N-m] @ 1850
rpm/auto, 2500 rpm/manual

 

[shorebreeze]

I surely hope they don't discontinue it......I really, really like my 2014, easily my favorite car that I've owned, and even in the 2018 models, now seven years without a major update, it is simply a more practical and even refined car for me than the competition. Same length as the Cruze hatchback, but longer inside from trunk to dash (important for me with skis); more ride height for visibility (useful in urban driving and in general for comfort); way quieter and smoother than other B-class cars (always welcome, why do other manufacturers cheap out on this?); huge trunk with my sedan that allows suitcases to be set vertically (versus the rather shallow affair on the Cruze); and almost ten inches shorter than the Cruze (good for urban maneuverability and parking). Oh, and the fact that GM doesn't shortchange driver legroom like Toyota and Honda and Ford all do.

But the Cruze is a little too large for me, the Spark a little too small, and I might have to consider going to, say, a Subaru Impreza or maybe a Toyota Prius (the one Toyota I've driven with a decent driving position for me) if they were to cut the Sonic. I'd gladly consider a Bolt if they charged faster and I had somewhere to charge it overnight, but neither of those things apply, yet. So give us at least one more Sonic generation to tide us over to EVs, please, or else find a way of shortening the Cruze without crimping interior room so that I can park it in the city.

 

[shorebreeze]

Incorrect. . .. the Sonic 1.4L Turbo engine is still MPFI. .. . not GDI. There IS a GM 1.4L turbo 153 HP but used in other GM vehicles, but not the Sonic. The Cruze has the Newer 1.4L GDI engine. . . The Sonic engine is not simply "detuned". Do you have a link showing this?

As to "How good our PVC filters oil" . . .. Details on how that is any different than it has been since so many Sonic 1.4L owners sight tubo and intake manifold oil contamination.

From the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Order Guide P.17 - - -

LUV
Engine
ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing
DOHC 4-cylinder sequential MFI (138 hp [103 kW] @
4900 rpm, 148 lb-ft of torque [199.8 N-m] @ 1850
rpm/auto, 2500 rpm/manual

Yep, same engine as my 2014. It's a great engine, very smooth, very refined, much better in this car than it was in the pre-2016 Cruze which felt like it was just a bit too heavy for the engine, but it would be nice to see GM update it with direct injection; would boost fuel economy for sure.

 

[Papasonic]

Incorrect. . .. the Sonic 1.4L Turbo engine is still MPFI. .. . not GDI. There IS a GM 1.4L turbo 153 HP but used in other GM vehicles, but not the Sonic. The Cruze has the Newer 1.4L GDI engine. . . The Sonic engine is not simply "detuned".

All true: The Cruze 1.4 is indeed direct injected, the Sonic 1.4 is still port injected; thus the difference in horsepower/torque specs.

 

[skurtov]

Oh wow. Yeah, oops. I thought the Sonic was engine was updated with the Cruze's.

Wonder if you can swap in the Cruze engine.

 

[Papasonic]

Wonder if you can swap in the Cruze engine.

Not economically; fuel system and electronics would be different. If you had a salvaged Cruze with all of the necessary systems intact, possible.

 

[JTee2017]

Oh wow. Yeah, oops. I thought the Sonic was engine was updated with the Cruze's.

Wonder if you can swap in the Cruze engine.

Sure you can. . . the only questions is, how much work and money would you be willing to put into it? And, would it work like you expect? Maybe not.

But this is not the topic of the thread.

 

[skurtov]

True true. I would buy a new one if they stuck the new engine into it. Or better yet, get that Astra 1.6t to the us.

 

[dannyg]

True true. I would buy a new one if they stuck the new engine into it. Or better yet, get that Astra 1.6t to the us.

Assuming the Astra 1.6T is the same engine in the Buick Cascada, which is based on an Opel, it has been certified in the US. With the sale of Opel, though, let's assume that's not going to happen. But an excellent alternative would be the 1.5T from the Malibu, with a decent 163HP.

Of course there's the 2.0T but I'm assuming that won't fit in the Sonic? Anyone know?

I was thinking the other day what it would take for me to trade in my 2015 LS in six months when I've got it paid off. I think it would take two things: better MPG and better interior materials. That's it. Other than that, I'm sticking with my 2015 which is otherwise basically perfect!

So maybe I'd trade in my 2015 for a 2019 LS if they made the 1.4T the base engine for better MPG. I certainly won't spend the $$ for a new Sonic with the same old 1.8L. Or I'd at least consider a 2019 Sonic RS if it had the 1.5T and 163HP.


EDIT: I was poking around GM Powertrain and they have an interesting non-turbo 1.5L with 113HP/115torque. That might make an interesting cheap "Eco" version with 6sp manual tranny. If a 1.5L/6sp manual was rated 40MPG highway or better, I'd consider it, even though it's less power. My 2015 is rated 35MPG, I easily get 40MPG as long as I'm keeping it under 75MPH and little or no A/C. So an official rating of 40MPG should get me around 45MPG the way I drive. Not bad.

http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines/1-5l-l3g.html
.