Avalanche Sales Plummet In January 2003

Chief · Feb 4, 2003

The Chevy Avalanche had a horrible month in January.

Chevrolet sold 3,529 units in January, that is down 47% from January of 2002. Cadillac Escalade EXT sales were also down 8% month over month. Overall Chevrolet sales were down 2% - so this is a major decline. In the GM truck/SUV line only the Oldsmobile Bravada took a worse one month hit.

No official word in GM press releases for the huge decline in Avalanche sales. That would put the total number of Avalanches on the road at 138.5K

ColoradoAV · Feb 4, 2003

I don't like th sounds of this

. I have heard though that car sales in January are pretty slow.

I guess the blessing of having the WBH in the Av lineup is really going to start showing (hopefully).

sonfour · Feb 4, 2003

Are we surprised??!!

What with the incredible anti-SUV campaigns going on out there. Remember WWJD?? How about Arianna Huffington's attacks and ads against SUV's??

All the "politically correct" lemmings will now move to the smaller SUV's, so as not to offend their perceived compatriots. After all, driving a big SUV supports terrorism, didn't you know...

Don't get me started..... :7:

imaniguana · Feb 4, 2003

Get ready for MEGA incentives!

capfacsurf · Feb 4, 2003

I bought my Av mid December of '02. Went back to the dealer for a comp 3k mile checkup, and three of his seven Av's were on the lot when I was buying mine. Don't bother me none, I like the feeling of EXCLUSIVITY!

Jake · Feb 4, 2003

Plus the fact that we are on the verge of war doesn't help. All the press keeps saying is how high the gas prices are going to go. Here is an interesting side note. I had a friend from work about to buy a new Dodge with the hemi. I told him to take several of the local car adds for the "base" AVs to chevy and try and work with the dealer, plus tell them that he had a deal working with Dodge. He informed me that the dealer would not budge on the (Z-66)AV

so he ended up with the Dodge.

Good effort GM!

Limerick · Feb 4, 2003

Fortunately I will be stimulating GM with my upcoming WBH Av purchase. ?More like a drop in the bucket, but I'm sure the WBH will encourage more sales overall.

Skidd-au · Feb 4, 2003

Man, a 47% drop... anyway you slice it that has got to hurt. I hope GM see's it as a hiccup and not the start of a decline.

AvaLance · Feb 4, 2003

But you guys have to remember the econmy is bad last month down at the dealership we had a horrable month did not sell very many car or trucks of any time even after they came out with the $2500 Rebate I sure hope the market picks up (my job depends on it) one other thing is it was hard to get Avalanche (at least in La Grande it was) I mean we have just got a red 03 in a week ago GM said it would be in 3 WEEK EARLY and we just got it even on Silverado's the ship date to arrival at the dealer is getting longer and longer :6:

I sure hope sales pick up SOON!!

AVingInNH · Feb 4, 2003

Sounds like a case of guzzlerphobia.

I drove my AV for the first time today and I'm getting 19+ MPG vs. 17 for my wife's 2003 Liberty 3.7 (215 HP) 6 cylinder.

lordvader · Feb 4, 2003

well, the economy does suck. what sucks more is the fact that in my state of NJ, we have an ass as a governor who taxes the living sh*t out of us. :D:

NJAV, do you agree.

highlander · Feb 4, 2003

Well Chief, if it is any consolation, I bought my 03 in January and Love it! :B:

farmguy · Feb 4, 2003

I can see the Avalanche becoming a limited production vehicle much like the GMC Syclone and Typoon. The upside is it will make ours more valuable. I know sales are slow. My local dealership still has 2-new-02's on the lot, plus a slug of 03's that aren't selling.

byron · Feb 4, 2003

Also remember folks.....January follows December...IE: Christmas. Most folks are in shock from the credit card bills in January. Most don't rush out and buy a new vehicle.

My dad's company always sees a slowdown in January through April. I think the thought of war and the bad economy is hurting sales.

olsontru · Feb 4, 2003

My Daughter lilves in NJ and from she has said, I agree the taxes are terrible, and they keep going up.

Off Topic: Has anyone seen the new Lincoln Explorer oops I mean Aviator?
Reminds me of when Cadillac took the least little Buick and made it a Cimmaron.

ChevyThunder · Feb 4, 2003

I think many people are still recovering from the holidays. Unless your income is mega $$$ you are gonna need a few months before making a huge investment. I'm sure sales will pick up later. :B:

CT

imaniguana · Feb 4, 2003

highlander said:
Well Chief, if it is any consolation, I bought my 03 in January and Love it! ? ?

Yeh, me too! >:D

AVEYAK · Feb 4, 2003

I bought mine on Jan 29th. It seems as if they were very anxious to get any avalanche off thier lot rather than have to order another one.

CodemansMom · Feb 4, 2003

We were going wait and buy and '03 in January, but our '99 Suburban decided that it was going to start giving us major problems in November '02 :7:

. So, it was out of necessity that we traded up to an Av in December.

Kind of cut into the Christmas budget, but Santa doesn't leave Av's under the tree

As for the economy...it REALLY sucks!

webbie44 · Feb 4, 2003

Hey, why all the long faces? Do we really want everyone to own an AV? It would kinda make make our ownership less special wouldn't it? I like being a different kind of vehicle owner amongst an elite group of owners!

Those with an eye for beauty and taste will find their way to AV ownership!

webbie44

Johnny_D · Feb 5, 2003

I?m wondering if the H2 is cutting into AV sales? Before you think I?m out in left field, well I?m normally out there, :2:

consider that the AV was the most unique vehicles around until the H2 was released.

Many of us got an AV because it was unique and if you acquired yours in 01 you know how much attention it drew

. Now AVs have become more commonly seen and has lost some of its uniqueness that the H2 is currently enjoying.

Just a thought

bweave · Feb 5, 2003

I think everyone's waiting for the new WBH!

hq · Feb 5, 2003

Chief said:
The Chevy Avalanche had a horrible month in January. ?

Chevrolet sold 3,529 units in January...?That would put the total number of Avalanches on the road at 138.5K

At current sales level it would put it at about 42,000 units per year. That is right in the same ball park as the Hummer H2. GM has the capacity to crank out about 90,000 Ava per year so that is going to hurt them big time.

My dealer still has a few 2002s in the lot that they just can't get rid off. I suspect that you may see the rebate bumped up to about $3000 before the month is over. There is already and extra $1000 on vehicles built before 9/15 (which includes some 2003s).

TRNSFRM · Feb 5, 2003

webbie44 said:
Hey, why all the long faces? Do we really want everyone to own an AV? It would kinda make make our ownership less special wouldn't it? I like being a different kind of vehicle owner amongst an elite group of owners! Those with an eye for beauty and taste will find their way to AV ownership!

webbie44

I totally agree with you webbie44. That's why I bought mine

tractman · Feb 5, 2003

The less the better to a point.......We sure don't want GM to stop production guys and dolls..
Tractman

Avalanche Sales Plummet In January 2003

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