Last spring we learned the 2021 Chevy Equinox refresh is being delayed until the 2022 model year due to complications associated with the pandemic. The refreshed Traverse and Silverado have also been pushed back by a model year for the same reason. However, it's the Equinox that's currently experiencing a troubling sign.

According to GM Authority, company sources have confirmed national inventory for the 2021 Equinox is currently running at a 71-day supply. Now, compared to the Blazer's reported 28-day, this much higher number is good news, right? No. Ideally, automakers want to maintain no more than a 60-day supply. Anything less indicates production can't keep up with demand, as in the case of the Blazer and, prior to that, the Trailblazer. Above 60 days, however, is problematic because it's indicative of oversupply, low demand, or a combination of both.

Last year, the Equinox sold a total of 270,994 units in the US, making it Chevy and GM's second most popular vehicle. But here's the flip side of that coin: 2020 Equinox deliveries were down by 22 percent compared to 2019. The most likely reason for the Equinox sales drop and subsequent high inventory is that buyers are simply waiting for the refreshed model, now due to arrive in the second half of this year.

Not only will it offer cool-looking RS and luxurious Premier trims, pictured below, but also more power under the hood. Instead of the 1.5-liter inline-four rated at 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, the highly regarded 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 237 hp and 258 lb-ft, the same engine found in the Cadillac XT4, will debut as an option.

But there's another factor that could be contributing to decreased Equinox demand. It's called the Blazer, which saw an astonishing 183 percent sales boost in the first half of last year compared to the same time in 2019. For 2020, total sales increased by 63 percent. The Blazer and Equinox are similar in size, but the former is newer, more powerful, better equipped, and looks better inside and out.

Internal competition is a problem for every automaker, and this only increases the pressure on the refreshed 2022 Equinox to turns things around.