Is the 2023 GMC Canyon Actually in Trouble?
We’re sending out an S.O.S. to the GMC Canyon. This more luxurious cousin to the Chevrolet Colorado isn’t doing too hot. People are still buying the Canyon, but it’s down in last place. Let’s see why the 2023 GMC Canyon isn’t more popular.
Why are 2023 GMC Canyon sales decreasing?
According to the numbers, the 2023 GMC Canyon isn’t selling very well. During the first half of 2022, it sold 13,662 models, and in the first half of 2023, it moved 11,724 units. This represents a 14.2% sales decrease.
Update: In the third quarter of the year, the Canyon still isn’t looking too hot. In the first three quarters of 2022 it moved 21,411 trucks. In the first three quarters of 2023, it sold 19,351 units, so that’s a 9.62% sales decrease.
The Canyon isn’t alone because most midsize trucks actually experienced a 20% dip in sales, also reported by the folks over at TFL Truck. However, it has the fewest sales in the segment. The 2023 Ford Ranger is in the second-to-last spot with 24,118 sales. Also, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma can’t be caught with 116,845 sales.
Also, the mechanically similar 2023 Chevy Colorado sold 44,190 models in the first half of 2022 and 33,165 models in the first half of 2023. This is a 24.9% decrease, but it still doubles the number of trucks sold compared to the Canyon.
Both the Canyon and Colorado debuted with brand-new features for 2023, so people may have been waiting for the 2023 models to come out. Production issues and delays may have derailed a few sales so far, but the Colorado still has an impressive lead.
How long is the wait for a 2023 Canyon?
Under the best-case scenario, trucks like the 2023 GMC Canyon can be built and shipped out in about six to eight weeks. But the pandemic, semi-conductor chip shortage, and other supply chain issues put a wrench in things.
The wait for a new 2023 Canyon has been pushed back to about six months or more. Some people are willing to wait for their new trucks to be delivered, but others have canceled their orders.
The new Colorado and Canyon were expected to be available by the end of the year, but production is just now ramping up. Perhaps having more trucks available would have helped sales grow instead of falter.
Production actually began in January, but tons of trucks sat outside of the factory for months. They could be spotted in April, but it’s a common practice to hold new models for quality testing before they’re shipped.
Reportedly, the General Motors tracking system has been a source of stress due to the lack of accurate vehicle tracking. Dealerships could use a window for delivery times to help people plan their purchases. Production of the 2024 Canyon started in October…
How much do the Canyon and Colorado cost?
The 2023 GMC Canyon starts at $36,900, and the 2023 Chevy Colorado has an MSRP of $29,200. That’s a $7,700 difference between the standard models before the destination fee and dealership markups have been added.
Both trucks use the same turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with different output levels. With the Colorado, it starts with 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo Plus cranks out 310 hp and 391 hp.
The Turbo High Output variant provides 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. It’s only available with the Colorado ZR2 model, but it’s standard across the entire Cayon lineup. Also, the Turbo Plus and High Output variants both tow up to 7,700 lbs.
So, upgrading to the Canyon may provide more luxury and convenience features. It makes it easier to get more power as well. Plus, the beefy AT4X AEV model is the most capable Canyon ever.
But the Canyon could be struggling against production issues, and people can buy the more affordable Colorado, which has tons of similar features, including the same towing capacity and engine.
