Lexus September 2017 Sales Report

Posted by Kevin on October 3rd, 2017

USA

Lexus USA has reported 26,196 total sales for September 2017, a 2.4% decrease over last year — here’s the model-by-model breakdown:

MONTH Year to Date (*DSR)
2017 2016 % CHG* 2017 2016 % CHG*
CT 91 638 ‐86.3 4,663 6,821 ‐31.9
IS 2,059 2,678 ‐26.1 19,275 26,763 ‐28.3
RC 737 827 ‐14.3 5,023 8,161 ‐38.7
ES 4,230 4,543 ‐10.5 39,075 43,773 ‐11.1
GS 666 1,066 ‐39.9 5,560 10,964 ‐49.5
LS 432 345 20.4 3,102 4,113 ‐24.9
LC 249 0 0 1,698 0 0
LFA 1 0 0 2 6 ‐66.8
Total Cars 8,465 10,097 ‐19.4 78,398 100,601 ‐22.4
NX 5,041 4,729 2.5 41,987 38,115 9.7
RX 9,120 8,605 1.9 75,880 76,240 ‐0.9
GX 3,035 1,984 47.1 19,343 17,545 9.8
LX 535 386 33.3 4,051 3,692 9.2
Total Trucks 17,731 15,704 8.6 141,261 135,592 3.7
Total Sales 26,196 25,801 ‐2.4 219,659 236,193 ‐7.4

Please note, all percentages are calculated by the Daily Sales Rate (DSR), which takes into account the number of days in the month that dealerships could sell cars. September 2017 had 26 selling days, September 2016 had 25 selling days.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times — while Lexus SUVs enjoy a fifth consecutive best-ever monthly record, Lexus car sales have fallen off a cliff.

There’s a flip side to every good story — the NX scored a seventh consecutive best-ever monthly total, while the IS is down 600 units compared to last year; the GX rises 47% and the CT falls 86%; the RX sets new best-ever monthly total for September and GS sales look to be at an all-time low.

It’s a balancing act that Lexus has excelled at this year, and it’s a trend that looks to continue as we enter the final months of 2017:

“Lexus sales traditionally shift into high gear as we head toward the end of the year, and we are buoyed by three consecutive months of sales momentum as well as our best-ever September,” said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Jeff Bracken. “Going forward we have a strong supply of luxury utility vehicles to satisfy customers’ needs through the remainder of 2017.”

Lexus is closing the gap for second place in the US luxury race, here’s a quote from Automotive News:

Even with the September dip, Mercedes remains solidly in the luxury leadership spot with 242,250 luxury vehicles sold through the first nine months of 2017, more than 22,000 vehicles ahead of BMW. But the battle for No. 2 is heating up.

Despite pulling off a 0.7 percent gain in September, BMW’s hold on the runner-up spot was cut by more than half during the month as Lexus managed a 1.5 percent gain. BMW is hanging on to a 516-vehicle edge over Lexus to start October, down from the 1,141-vehicle edge it had at the beginning of September.

Canada

With September in the books, Lexus Canada has now recorded its 15th consecutive monthly record with 2,419 units sold, up 11.1% compared to last year:

MONTH Year to Date (*DSR)
2017 2016 % CHG* 2017 2016 % CHG*
CT 36 55 -34.5% 350 398 -12.1%
IS 295 333 -11.4% 2503 2337 7.1%
RC 66 59 2.8% 1452 1589 -8.6%
ES 184 179 2.8% 1452 1589 -8.6%
GS 26 35 -25.7% 244 315 -22.5%
LS 1 7 -85.7% 38 67 -43.3%
LC 22 0 0 115 0 0
Total Cars 630 668 -5.7% 5112 5127 -0.3%
NX 766 601 27.5% 5566 4484 24.1%
RX 936 796 17.6% 6908 5945 16.2%
GX 34 45 -24.4% 385 392 -1.8%
LX 53 67 -20.9% 716 523 36.9%
Total Trucks 1789 1509 18.6% 13575 11344 19.7%
Total Sales 2419 2177 11.1% 18687 16471 13.5%
CanadaSales ReportsUSA
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Comments
S
The RX alone outsold the entire sedan lineup for the month.
Gecko
SteVVT-i
The RX alone outsold the entire sedan lineup for the month.

It's astounding how well the GX is selling despite its age and, quite frankly, how ugly it is. This should be a clear reason for Lexus to dump GS R&D costs into making that the damn good SUV it deserves to be.
Bingo. The fact that it's selling so well even now coming up on it's 4th model year post-refresh is crazy. Crazy.

It's easy to overlook Utes like the GX and 4Runner in a market like this: they're old, outdated and not particularly great looking... but they are extremely well built and that still appeals to a lot of people.

I personally hope Lexus has some type of plan to refresh it soon. A minor interior/exterior refresh and an updated powertrain would keep it going for another 2 years, but to your point, I hope that Lexus is looking at how to build a kick ass three row CUV on GA-L. They'd sell them like crazy.
Tragic Bronson
Gecko
Bingo. The fact that it's selling so well even now coming up on it's 4th model year post-refresh is crazy. Crazy.

It's easy to overlook Utes like the GX and 4Runner in a market like this: they're old, outdated and not particularly great looking... but they are extremely well built and that still appeals to a lot of people.

I personally hope Lexus has some type of plan to refresh it soon. A minor interior/exterior refresh and an updated powertrain would keep it going for another 2 years, but to your point, I hope that Lexus is looking at how to build a kick ass three row CUV on GA-L. They'd sell them like crazy.
I think the GX and 4Runner are saved by the market...I also thought the 4Runner was a bit ugly when it was refreshed but for some reason, I want one. Yeah, these two have a lot of potential if they do a refresh soon.
R
What plans to bring in a suv based on the new LS? Is there room for this or will it just reduce sales of the LX?
When you view the new big BMW suv it makes you wonder will we all be driving aSuv in future?
GuoxJason
I really hope the continued success of the SUVs is incentive for Lexus to make amazing and thorough successors to the GX and LX - and soon!
S
Rob Grieveson
What plans to bring in a suv based on the new LS? Is there room for this or will it just reduce sales of the LX?
When you view the new big BMW suv it makes you wonder will we all be driving aSuv in future?
LX starts at $90k already... i am sure they will price it up to $120k in the future, but start should be similar... currently it is outselling LS.
mikeavelli
Having the LS and LX both this year I cannot believe I am saying this but I much prefer the LX. I get why these things are selling. I lose out a bit on acceleration but nothing crazy since I'm not racing the car. I get the same interior features and comfort. Ride is nearly as good if not better for these crappy roads. I have space for 8 or for packing stuff.

Now the new LS obviously changes things up since its all new but some of the LX basics (ride height, space, cooler, 8 seat capacity) is something the LS will never match.

My wife went from her GS F-Sport to RX F-Sport and she loved her GS but she said she will never go back. She prefers the higher ride height and the cargo capacity to the GS. The new RX interior is damn near on par with the GS and it has the same if not more features for LESS or the same price.




I don't think sedans will ever come back. This is not a trend, this is the new way.
M
SteVVT-i
The RX alone outsold the entire sedan lineup for the month.

It's astounding how well the GX is selling despite its age and, quite frankly, how ugly it is. This should be a clear reason for Lexus to dump GS R&D costs into making that the damn good SUV it deserves to be.
It's a beauty compared to a disaster known as Land Cruiser Prado for which they same money as for Lexus reskin. I'm too lazy to find a base interior pic but it's real bad.
krew
Updated the original post with US competitor numbers and September sales from Canada.

The Lexus division reported a 15th consecutive monthly record with 2,419 units sold, up 11.1% compared to last year.
C
As some have commented, my reaction is "awe" for the GX. 3000+ units is incredible for such an old-school design, and so-so tech, interior space, and dismal fuel efficiency. It goes to show it (and 4Runner) essentially have the monopoly in a crowd of unibody car-based "SUVs".
Joaquin Ruhi
Here's Automotive News commentary on the U.S. luxury car sales race for the month and the year so far, with highlights bolded:

LUXURY: Leader Mercedes slips; Lexus closes in on BMW
October 3, 2017 - Amy Wilson

Helped by its best September ever, Lexus pulled closer to BMW for the No. 2 spot in the luxury sales race for 2017, while Mercedes-Benz stayed solidly on top despite a September skid in sales.

U.S. sales of luxury vehicles rebounded in September after Hurricane Harvey and inventory shortages hurt August sales. Overall luxury sales rose 4.9 percent last month to 174,504 vehicles. The luxury market continued to underperform the overall industry, which posted a 6.3 percent boost for total U.S. light-vehicle sales last month. All luxury brands posted sales gains in September with the exception of Mercedes.

Mercedes' sales, excluding the Sprinter and Metris commercial vans, declined 1.7 percent in September to 29,008 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dietmar Exler said last month's sales were disrupted by the hurricanes that affected Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Despite the disruption, the brand's SUV and crossover sales are "seeing continued positive development," Exler said in a statement, with the GLE and GLC, plus the C class, leading Mercedes in volume in September.

"We expect to regain momentum in the final quarter of the year with the launch of the new S-Class sedan, AMG models and continued demand for our SUV lineup," Exler said.

Even with the September dip, Mercedes remains solidly in the luxury leadership spot with 242,250 luxury vehicles sold through the first nine months of 2017, more than 22,000 vehicles ahead of BMW.

But the battle for No. 2 is heating up.

Despite pulling off a 0.7 percent gain in September, BMW's hold on the runner-up spot was cut by more than half during the month as Lexus managed a 1.5 percent gain. BMW is hanging on to a 516-vehicle edge over Lexus to start October, down from the 1,141-vehicle edge it had at the beginning of September.

BMW touted strong gains for the 4 series and 5 series in September, plus a solid increase for the X5.

"The hot summer has given way to autumn and an uptick in sales, fueled in part by continued strong demand for the new 5 series, as well as demand in Texas and Florida where customers are now replacing their flood and hurricane damaged vehicles," BMW of North America CEO Bernhard Kuhnt said in a statement. "We are also anticipating growth in our sports activity vehicles as expansion at our X model plant in South Carolina means we'll have more X5s this month followed by the eagerly awaited introduction of the all-new X3 in November."

Lexus kept the pressure on BMW by indicating it expects strong results for the rest of the year.

"Lexus sales traditionally shift into high gear as we head toward the end of the year, and we are buoyed by three consecutive months of sales momentum as well as our best-ever September," Jeff Bracken, Lexus general manager, said in a statement. "Going forward we have a strong supply of luxury utility vehicles to satisfy customers' needs through the remainder of 2017."

Some luxury brands saw big jumps in September. Reporting double-digit percentage increases last month were Genesis, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche and Infiniti.
http://www.autonews.com/article/201...ptember?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
October 3, 2017 @ 5:32 pm
Amy Wilson
M
Yes, the GX needs to be done right by Lexus. It's amazing how the GS and GX have reversed fortunes (and to a lesser extend, the LS and LX).

Anyone hear any inklings of what Lexus is planning with the next-gen SUVs?
S
The question is, should Lexus build the next GX as a standalone unibody SUV or a Prado/4Runner-based offroader? Do people actually cross-shop them against X5/GLE/RR Sport/Cayenne? Or do they want a premium offroader and find the GX to be the only option?
The RX was never a true competitor against the real premium SUVs. It soundly beats any SUV in its league but cannot punch above its weight. If Lexus do want to go head-to-head against the Europeans the GX needs to be a standalone design. Prado is a family-friendly offroader with some comfort at an affordable price, but it won't be sufficient as a base for a proper premium SUV that doesn't care much about utility.
S
ssun30
The question is, should Lexus build the next GX as a standalone unibody SUV or a Prado/4Runner-based offroader? Do people actually cross-shop them against X5/GLE/RR Sport/Cayenne? Or do they want a premium offroader and find the GX to be the only option?
The RX was never a true competitor against the real premium SUVs. It soundly beats any SUV in its league but cannot punch above its weight. If Lexus do want to go head-to-head against the Europeans the GX needs to be a standalone design. Prado is a family-friendly offroader with some comfort at an affordable price, but it won't be sufficient as a base for a proper premium SUV that doesn't care much about utility.
GX only sells well in the US, so they have to figure out how to make it better for rest of the world.

RX has managed to raise its average price, it now sells at around $60k while GX is at $70k... while X5 averages at around $65k.

So thats really not a problem for Lexus... they need UX, RX-L and another in between vehicle that opens up another market for them - something like X6/GLE Coupe.
Tragic Bronson
spwolf
GX only sells well in the US, so they have to figure out how to make it better for rest of the world.

RX has managed to raise its average price, it now sells at around $60k while GX is at $70k... while X5 averages at around $65k.

So thats really not a problem for Lexus... they need UX, RX-L and another in between vehicle that opens up another market for them - something like X6/GLE Coupe.
The GX isn't sold in that many places as a Lexus (probably China or Russia are the other big markets where it is a Lexus and not an LCP). Really, most of the world knows it as a Toyota.
S
Tragic Bronson
The GX isn't sold in that many places as a Lexus (probably China or Russia are the other big markets where it is a Lexus and not an LCP). Really, most of the world knows it as a Toyota.
sure it is, it is sold everywhere where LX is sold... and LX outsells it everywhere but in the USA. Hence my comment.
S
Tragic Bronson
The GX isn't sold in that many places as a Lexus (probably China or Russia are the other big markets where it is a Lexus and not an LCP). Really, most of the world knows it as a Toyota.
Lexus barely sells any GX in China. The locally produced FAW-LCP is very popular and is actually a superior vehicle in power, comfort, and affordability. Anyone who wants a luxury offroader goes for the LX. Probably the same happens in Russia and Middle East.
S
ssun30
Lexus barely sells any GX in China. The locally produced FAW-LCP is very popular and is actually a superior vehicle in power, comfort, and affordability. Anyone who wants a luxury offroader goes for the LX. Probably the same happens in Russia and Middle East.
their problem is likely that people can get LC200 V8 at prices of GX, or something to the tune of that... so they either buy LC200 or LX or Prado.
How can Prado be superior to GX though? It starts as basic offroader, so pricing is better but other things not so much.
S
spwolf
their problem is likely that people can get LC200 V8 at prices of GX, or something to the tune of that... so they either buy LC200 or LX or Prado.
How can Prado be superior to GX though? It starts as basic offroader, so pricing is better but other things not so much.
The FAW-LC200 is being phased out because there is not enough demand to justify local production; the displacement tax is simply too harsh for it. As a result FAW equips the top trim LCP with a lot of amenities and offroad equipment to fill the spot previously occupied by the 4.0/4.6 LC200. The China-only LCP gets RX350's updated V6 with 300hp and an eight-speed which makes it more powerful than the GX400 (GX460 is not sold). It gets TSS+ as well while the GX400 does not have LSS yet.
A top-trim LCP pretty much kills any offroader in its league just like GX460 in the U.S.
S
ssun30
The FAW-LC200 is being phased out because there is not enough demand to justify local production; the displacement tax is simply too harsh for it. As a result FAW equips the top trim LCP with a lot of amenities and offroad equipment to fill the spot previously occupied by the 4.0/4.6 LC200. The China-only LCP gets RX350's updated V6 with 300hp and an eight-speed which makes it more powerful than the GX400 (GX460 is not sold). It gets TSS+ as well while the GX400 does not have LSS yet.
A top-trim LCP pretty much kills any offroader in its league just like GX460 in the U.S.
It is still a Prado though... GX is much more luxurious. But the pricing likely kills it.

It is same situation in GCC countries where LX sells the best. LX sells really well, GX does not.

Interestingly, LX has outsold LS worldwide for at least 3 years.
mmcartalk
mikeavelli
I don't think sedans will ever come back. This is not a trend, this is the new way.
While I certainly respect your view, I think it's too early to sound the death-knell for Lexus sedans...especially with the kind of sales-numbers that the ES350 is still racking up. It is one of the few sedans that seems to have a true cult-following....particularly with older drivers. A number of my colleagues drive an ES (one of them gets a new ES on a lease every 27 months)....and, as you know, I strongly considered one myself before I went with the Lacrosse.
S
mmcartalk
While I certainly respect your view, I think it's too early to sound the death-knell for Lexus sedans...especially with the kind of sales-numbers that the ES350 is still racking up. It is one of the few sedans that seems to have a true cult-following....particularly with older drivers. A number of my colleagues drive an ES (one of them gets a new ES on a lease every 27 months)....and, as you know, I strongly considered one myself before I went with the Lacrosse.
death of sedan is industry-wide phenomenon... it is really not subjective at all and statistically sedan sales are going down while SUVs are going up... industry wide.
mmcartalk
spwolf
death of sedan is industry-wide phenomenon... it is really not subjective at all and statistically sedan sales are going down while SUVs are going up... industry wide.

Going down, though, doesn't mean that all of them are dying. Like I said above, check the September sales-numbers that Kevin posted. The ES still sells in SUV-numbers.
S
mmcartalk
Going down, though, doesn't mean that all of them are dying. Like I said above, check the September sales-numbers that Kevin posted. The ES still sells in SUV-numbers.
of course... but it does mean that some of them will die for sure... if market ends up 40% down compared to 2010, then we will have death of many sends.
Just like with Camry and Accord being up last month but Hyundai, Ford and others being up to 40% down... those numbers are not sustainable for mass produced vehicles with low margins.

Just like Toyota is very happy with Rav4 doing better sales than Camry... they make more money on them.

S