USA
The March sales numbers for Lexus USA are in:
| MONTH | Year to Date (*DSR) | |||||
| 2010 | 2009 | % CHG* | 2010 | 2009 | % CHG* | |
| ES | 3,860 | 3,225 | 15.1 | 9,132 | 8,771 | 5.5 |
| HS | 1,494 | 0 | N/A | 3,453 | 0 | N/A |
| LS | 894 | 852 | 0.9 | 2,785 | 2,456 | 14.9 |
| SC | 30 | 78 | -63.0 | 81 | 227 | -63.8 |
| GS | 645 | 625 | -0.8 | 1,662 | 2,118 | -20.5 |
| IS | 3,137 | 2,432 | 24.0 | 7,331 | 6,979 | 6.5 | Total Cars | 10,060 | 7,212 | 34.1 | 24,444 | 20,551 | 20.6 |
| LX | 314 | 289 | 4.5 | 850 | 898 | -4.1 |
| GX | 1,785 | 561 | 205.9 | 4,787 | 1,705 | 184.6 |
| RX | 8,060 | 6,177 | 25.5 | 19,442 | 18,915 | 4.2 | Total Trucks | 10,159 | 7,027 | 39.0 | 25,079 | 21,518 | 18.1 | Total Sales | 20,219 | 14,239 | 36.5 | 49,523 | 42,069 | 19.3 |
Lexus led all luxury brands for the month, posting a substantial 36.5% increase in overall sales by daily rate and a 42.0% increase by overall volume. On the car front, the ES and IS lines posted healthy gains, up 15.1% and 24.0% respectively. The refreshed LS line held steady, and the new GX and RX lines continued to show strong growth. Revised models and the improved economy are likely factors to the big sales increase, along with sweetened lease and financing deals.
Overall, it seems that Lexus sales are continuing their recovery from industry-wide difficulties in 2009, although the coming months will tell if Lexus can maintain its luxury market leadership for longer than a decade. Already BMW execs have claimed that they expect Lexus to maintain its lead this year, but that they hope to take the luxury sales crown in 2012 (after saying they would do so in 2009). Lexus spokeswoman Nancy Hubbell responded this month that being the top seller in the luxury segment “has never been our goal.” With the exchange rate affecting profitability, it’s quite likely that overall sales numbers are just part of the equation.
Canada
Lexus Canada had a slight drop in sales for March compared to last year, selling 4.4% less vehicles for a total of 1,303 units.
[Sources: Lexus Pressroom and PR Newswire]