Chevy's affordable Trailblazer small SUV might be the year's most unexpected hit, flying off dealer lots faster than any other new vehicle since the pandemic struck, according to a study by internet car research site iSeecars.com.
The SUV, reintroducing the name of a full-size SUV that was discontinued 10 years ago, spent an average of just 19 days on dealer lots from March through June, a fraction of the 96.9-day industry average for new vehicles and nearly a week less than No. 2, the acclaimed Kia Telluride.
GM's other new small SUV, the Buick Encore GX, also did well, coming in at No. 11 with 46.6 days on the lot — less than half the industry average.
"The ISeeCars study validates all of our research to bring the Trailblazer to market," said Brad Franz, senior marketing manager, Chevrolet SUVs. "Early sales are exceeding our expectations, led by the RS trim, which has doubled our forecast. We are very pleased with the consumer reaction to the all new Trailblazer."
The list had another bit of good news for Chevrolet: Its Bolt electric car was the only car to make the SUV-dominated list of fastest-selling vehicles. The Bolt, which unlike the new Trailblazer and Encore GX has been on the market for several years, placed sixth, spending 41.7 days on the lot.
About 60 days on the lot is typical during normal times, but that average ballooned more than 50% because of economic unease, sales shutdowns and stay-at-home orders during COVID-19's first wave early this year.
"Many of these fastest-selling vehicles are popular cars that are hard to find for reasons such as the effect of the pandemic on supply chains, they were produced in limited quantities, or that they are new models that aren't yet abundant in the used car marketplace," said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly.
Pickups still rule
Full-size domestic models rule the pickup market, but the midsize Toyota Tacoma was the quickest selling new pickup, followed by the Honda Ridgeline, a midsize with a small but loyal following.
