Lexus January 2018 Sales Report


USA

Lexus USA has reported 17,914 total sales for January 2018, a 10.4% increase over last year — here’s the model-by-model breakdown:

MONTH Year to Date (*DSR)
2018 2017 % CHG* 2018 2017 % CHG*
CT 3 849 393 -99.3 3 -99.3
IS 1,447 1,423 -2.4 1,447 1,423 -2.4
RC 161 447 -65.4 161 447 -65.4
ES 2,640 2,171 16.7 2,640 2,171 16.7
GS 475 422 8.1 475 422 8.1
LS 116 280 -60.2 116 280 -60.2
LC 176 0 0 176 0 0
LFA 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Cars 5,018 5,136 -6.2 5,018 5,136 -6.2
NX 4,205 2,964 36.2 4,205 2,964 36.2
RX 6,738 5,520 17.2 6,738 17.2 ‐9.1
GX 1589 1418 7.6 1,589 1,418 7.6
LX 364 534 -34.6 364 534 -34.6
Total Trucks 12,896
10,436
18.6
12,896
10,436
18.6
Total Sales 17,914 15,572 10.4 17,914 15,572 10.4

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. January 2018 had 25 selling days, January 2017 had 24 selling days.

The Lexus SUV lineup has posted their best-ever January sales result, supported by an enormous 36.2% jump in NX sales. Here’s what Lexus USA general manager had to say:

“Lexus is off to a very strong start this year. The NX, both gas and hybrid, had their best January ever, and the all-new three-row RXL is just now starting to hit dealership showrooms.”

“Combined with the launch of our fifth-generation LS and LS hybrid this month, along with the Limited Edition LC Inspiration Series and two-row LX, we’re very optimistic about the year ahead. These new models will be followed throughout the year by 10 additional new models.”

Sales ReportsUSA
Comments
ssun30
I don't think people who buy Panameras and Quattroportes will cross-shop them against a Lexus. These people are likely obsessed with 'European Quality' and 'Exoticness' (even more so than Big 3 buyers), there's just no chance they will even bother looking at the LS. Just because they have similar profile and driving dynamics does not mean they are in the same class.
That's up to Lexus marketing to communicate. The engineering direction is very clearly not chasing the Germans, they're now making their own car that's a synthesis of a lot of inputs.
For what it's worth, I know two people who bought Quattroportes because they "just wanted something different" and both were lifetime S Class buyers. One of the Quattroportes has been decently reliable and the other was traded back in for an S550 AMG within 6 months because it was so terribly unreliable (large scale electronic issues). I think there is a lot of brand loyalty in this segment, but I also think these shoppers have so much dispensable income that they are apt to try something new from time to time.

My concern there is that the LS does not have the "chops" to compete with the Panamera or Quattroporte. One of those shoppers is likely looking for the right mix of power, performance and sound that a 3.5L TT V6 just doesn't offer. However, I do think the LS 500 looks the part, at least.

G