GM EV Sales Collapse: Equinox EV Sales Plunge 92% in the U.S.

The third quarter of 2026 brought an interesting contradiction for General Motors. The company sold 670,974 vehicles in the overall U.S. market, a 5.5% decline compared to 710,347 units sold last year.

But the bigger story is the sharp decline in its electric vehicle lineup, making the latest GM EV Sales Collapse one of the most notable developments in the U.S. auto market. Sales of several major GM EV models have fallen sharply, raising fresh questions about consumer demand for electric vehicles in America.

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The biggest shock came from the Chevrolet Equinox EV. According to GM’s official Q3 sales data, Equinox EV sales fell from 25,085 units in Q3 2025 to just 1,905 units in Q3 2026. This means a year-over-year decline of 92.4%. Even on a year-to-date basis, the Equinox EV is at 18,154 units in 2026, down 65.6% from 52,834 units in 2025.

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The Equinox EV is the Biggest Signal of a GM EV Sales Collapse

GM positioned the Equinox EV as a relatively affordable electric SUV, so its sales performance is particularly important. The gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox sold 67,203 units in Q3 2026, while the Equinox EV sold only 1,905 units.

This means the sales gap between the petrol version and the electric version of the same Equinox nameplate has widened significantly. However, this comparison shouldn’t be taken as definitive proof of consumer preference, as factors such as pricing, incentives, availability, fleet sales, and product positioning also influence sales.

Nevertheless, the Q3 numbers are a clear warning signal for GM’s EV strategy.

Blazer EV Sales Also Crash 84%

Chevrolet’s other major electric SUV is also showing a similar trend.

Q3 2026 sales of the Chevrolet Blazer EV were just 1,261 units, compared with 8,089 units in Q3 2025. This represents an 84.4% year-over-year decline. Year-to-date sales are also 4,427 units, down 78.7% from 20,825 units last year.

This means both of GM’s key Chevrolet electric SUVs—the Equinox EV and Blazer EV—recorded extremely sharp declines in a single quarter.

And the situation isn’t limited to SUVs alone.

Silverado EV Sales Fall 58%

GM’s electric pickup segment also faced pressure in Q3.

Q3 2026 sales of the Chevrolet Silverado EV were 1,655 units, compared with 3,940 units in Q3 2025. This represents a 58.0% decline. Year-to-date sales are 5,327 units, down 43.2% from 9,379 units in 2025.

Interestingly, overall Silverado nameplate sales increased 2.7% in the same quarter to 146,639 units. Therefore, demand in GM’s truck business hasn’t completely disappeared; the major weakness is specifically visible in the electric Silverado.

Cadillac EVs Also Under Pressure

GM’s premium Cadillac EV lineup hasn’t been completely immune.

Q3 2026 sales of the Cadillac Lyriq were 3,617 units, down 50.5% compared to 7,309 units in Q3 2025. Escalade IQ/IQL sales were 1,604 units, down 29.2%. The Vistiq also stood at 2,587 units, down 34.1%.

But there’s an interesting exception to the Cadillac lineup. Cadillac Optiq sales in Q3 were 4,550 units, down just 6.9% year-over-year, and Optiq sales in the first nine months of 2026 are actually up 18.4%.

Therefore, it would not be accurate to describe GM’s entire EV portfolio in the same pattern.

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GMC Hummer EV and Sierra EV Also See Big Drops

Electric models on the GMC side are also struggling.

Hummer EV sales in Q3 2026 were 1,423 units, down 72.9% from 5,246 units a year earlier. Meanwhile, GMC Sierra EV sales were 1,661 units, down 50.8% from 3,374 units.

Overall GMC sales in Q3 were 157,103 units, down 4.7%. In contrast, conventional GMC Sierra LD sales increased 2.9%, and Yukon sales grew 8%.

These numbers suggest a broader pattern: GM’s traditional trucks and SUVs are still generating strong demand, while several EVs are facing a considerably tougher sales environment.

There’s Not Just One Reason for the GM EV Sales Collapse

An important distinction is necessary here. Explaining GM’s Q3 EV decline with just one factor would be misleading.

The Federal New Clean Vehicle Credit is not available in the U.S. for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, according to the IRS. This means buyers in Q3 2025 had a strong reason to purchase before the federal EV incentive expires. GM and other automakers’ Q3 2025 sales comparisons are being made against this elevated baseline.

Reuters also reported that GM’s EV sales were down roughly 62% in Q3 2026, while the company was down 5.5% overall. According to Reuters, EV demand in 2025 was boosted by purchases before the expiration of the federal $7,500 credit.

Along with this, high vehicle prices, financing costs, fuel prices, model availability, and changing consumer preferences are also influencing the U.S. auto market.

Not Everything Is Negative for GM

GM’s Q3 wasn’t completely weak.

The company’s top-selling vehicles—including the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse, and Chevrolet Trax—maintained strong consumer demand. Chevrolet Trax sales increased 51.1% in Q3 to 57,917 units, while Chevrolet Corvette sales increased 28.5%.

GM also stated that the launch of its next-generation full-size pickup trucks is on schedule, and the company is focusing on its U.S. manufacturing footprint and new vehicle investments.

Therefore, it would be inaccurate to describe the current situation as “GM cars not selling.” The more accurate story is that GM’s conventional vehicle portfolio is comparatively resilient, while several of its EVs are experiencing a major sales correction.

What This Means for GM’s EV Strategy

GM’s Q3 numbers are an important reality check for the U.S. EV market.

The company has multiple electric products, including the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Silverado EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Escalade IQ, and GMC Sierra EV, but sales of several of these models declined dramatically in Q3 2026.

At the same time, GM’s conventional SUV and pickup business remained comparatively strong.

This does not mean that U.S. consumers are permanently rejecting EVs. But current sales data clearly shows that sustaining EV adoption without incentives could be challenging for automakers, especially when buyers also have options for hybrids and traditional gas-powered vehicles.

Auto India Daily Verdict

GM’s latest sales report is a major warning signal for the U.S. EV market, with the latest GM EV Sales Collapse highlighting how sharply several electric models have declined.

However, it’s important to look beyond the headlines. The Equinox EV’s 92.4% Q3 decline is undoubtedly shocking, but it’s measured against the unusually strong, pre-tax-credit-expiration comparison of Q3 2025.

The real test for GM will now be at what level EV demand stabilizes in Q4 2026 and 2027. If models like the Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV don’t recover from current levels, GM may have to more aggressively rethink its EV pricing, incentives, product mix and rollout strategy.

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