Lexus December & 2019 Year-End Sales Report


USA

Lexus USA has reported 35,325 total sales for December 2019, down 0.6% over last year — here’s the model-by-model breakdown:

MONTH Year to Date (*DSR)
2019 2018 % CHG* 2019 2018 % CHG*
CT 0 0 0 0 4 ‐100
IS 1,171 2,193 -44.5 14,920 22,927 -34.9
RC 428 341 30.5 4,591 3,358 36.7
ES 5,025 5,385 -3.0 51,336 48,484 5.9
GS 265 587 -53.0 3,378 6,604 -48.8
LS 583 893 -32.1 5,528 9,302 -40.6
LC 114 152 -22.0 1,219 1,979 -38.4
LFA 0 0 0 3 2 50
Total Cars 7,586 9,551 -17.4 80,975 92,660 -12.6
UX 1,933 453 343.8 16,275 453 3,592.1
NX 7,955 8,764 -5.6 58,715 62,079 -5.4
RX 14,069 13,222 10.7 111,036 111,641 -0.5
GX 3,220 3,322 0.8 25,945 26,724 -2.9
LX 562 212 175.7 4,718 4,753 -0.7
Total Trucks 27,739
25,793
11.1
217,139
205,650
5.6
Total Sales 35,325 35,524 3.4 298,114 289,310 -0.1

Lexus USA ended the 2019 calendar year with 298,114 vehicles sold, a meager 0.1% drop versus 2018’s 298,310 units. Disappointing as those numbers may be to some, especially in the face of record sales increases in a number of global markets and the occasional month when Lexus sales in China surpassed those in the U.S., the United States were still, in 2019, the world’s largest Lexus market by volume. (For the record, Lexus’ Chinese sales for the year totaled 200,521 units).

The bigger story, though, is Lexus’ continuing major shift away from cars and into crossovers and SUVs. Not that this industry-wide trend is a surprise to anyone at this point, but the numbers put this in stark perspective. For 2019, Lexus aggregate car sales totaled 80,975 units in 2019 versus 92,660 in 2018, a 12.6% decline. Conversely, the 2019 crossover and SUV sales total of 217,139 units represents a 5.6% increase versus 2018’s 205,650 units. In broader terms, for 2019 Lexus sales were roughly 27% cars and 73% SUVs, in contrast to 2018’s roughly 31% cars/69% SUVs ratio.

On the car side of things, only the RC and ES lines saw sales increases (36.7% and 5.9%, respectively) for 2019 versus 2018, with ES Hybrid sales up 72.8% for the year. All other car lines saw decreases ranging from 34.9% for IS to 48.8% for GS. (Fun fact: LFA supercar sales jumped by 50%, from 2 units sold in 2018 to 3 units in 2019).

Curiously, sales of Lexus’ 4 older crossover and SUV lines dipped slightly for 2019, ranging from a scant 0.5% drop for RX to a 5.4% decrease for NX. The overall increase in SUV sales is explained by the introduction of the marque’s 5th crossover line, the UX. Introduced in December 2018 (when it sold a scant 453 units), UX went on to sell 16,725 units for 2019 (including 1933 in December). This accounts for the eye-popping 326.7% increase in December 2019 versus December 2018 UX sales.

Even with these modest declines, RX sales alone surpassed the lump total of all Lexus car lines put together. NX reaffirmed its standing as the second most popular Lexus line in the U.S. after RX (but ahead of ES), with GX in fourth place and UX in sixth (behind IS).

Hybrid sales also saw an uptick, with NXh sales up 6.4% for the year, RXh up 2.9% and Lexus hybrid sales overall up 43.1% for the year, a best-ever mark.

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. December 2019 had 25 selling days, December 2018 had 26 selling days.

Sales ReportsUSA

Horus468

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First, Happy New Year everyone!
ES, UX, and RC put in work for Lexus. RX and GX refreshes arrived too late to do anything notable. What’s worse is that their December to remember ended today so we’ll have to wait until their Golden ticket event in summer to watch. On the bright side, BMW is being investigated by the Feds for lying about their sale figures. This should ease the pressure off Lexus.
 

Trexus

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UX sales so far in U.S.:

2018 - 453
2019 - 16,725 My projection 15,000 (I believe Lexus projected sales of UX is 17,000)
Total = 17,178

X1 sales since inception in U.S.:

1X1

2012 - 8,947
2013 - 26,512
2014 - 22,808
2015 - 14,420
2X1
2016 - 27,812
2017 - 30,826
2018 - 29,060
2019 - 17,815
Total = 178,200

X2 sales since inception in U.S.:

2018 - 16,154
2019 - 11,293
Total = 28,276

GLA sales since inception in U.S.:

2014 - 6,884
2015 - 25,593
2016 - 24,545
2017 - 24,104
2018 - 24,136
2019 - 22,137
Total = 127,398

Q3 sales since inception in U.S.:

2014 - 3,654
2015 - 13,229
2016 - 20,048
2017 - 20,633
2018 - 16,828
2019 - 14,822
Total = 89,214

QX30 sales since inception in U.S.:

2016 - 2,259
2017 - 14,093
2018 - 8,101
2019 - 3,229
Total = 27,682
 

Will1991

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For Portugal Lexus sold 509 units, down from 560 (best year ever) and I believe it's 100% hybrids!

During last days of December Lexus Portugal opened a new dealer (Braga) and it's quite nice, near city center so it will get more views. I already went there to check it and to ask if there is any news about the UX300e but sadly it should arrive only at Q4 2020 so there isn't anything more than what we already know...

To give some perspective about our market:
-> Total 2019 market is less than 224000 units
-> BEV's got 3,1% market share
-> Around 9.000 Hybrids (6.500 are Toyota's Hybrids)
-> Tesla sold 1979 cars
-> Mercedes is third best (only behind Renault and Peugeot)
-> Porsche and Jaguar sold more than Lexus

So yes, it's a strange market very driven by "German engineering" mojo where for the first in years Diesel wasn't the top seller.
 

Trexus

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NX sales so far in U.S.:

2014 - 2,927
2015 - 43,764
2016 - 54,884
2017 - 59,341
2018 - 62,079
2019 - 58,715
Total = 281,710

X3 sales since inception in U.S.:

1X3

2004 - 34,604
2005 - 30,769
2006 - 31,291
2007 - 28,058
2008 - 17,622
2009 - 6,067
2010 - 6,075
2X3
2011 - 27,793
2012 - 35,173
2013 - 30,623
2014 - 33,824
2015 - 31,924
2016 - 44,196
2017 - 40,691
3X3
2018 - 61,351
2019 - 70,110
Total = 530,171

X4 sales since inception in U.S.:

1X4

2014 - 2,653
2015 - 6,429
2016 - 4,989
2017 - 5,198
2018 - 4,323
2X4
2019 - 8,758
Total = 32,350

GLC sales since inception in U.S.:

1GLC (fka GLK)

2009 - 21,944
2010 - 20,946
2011 - 24,310
2012 - 29,364
2013 - 32,553
2014 - 35,000
2015 - 27,902
2GLC
2016 - 47,872
2017 - 48,643
2018 - 69,727
2019 - 73,650
Total = 431,916

Q5 sales since inception in U.S.:

1Q5

2009 - 13,790
2010 - 23,518
2011 - 24,908
2012 - 28,671
2013 - 40,355
2014 - 42,420
2015 - 52,006
2016 - 49,550
2017 - 57,640
2Q5
2018 - 69,978
2019 - 67,516
Total = 470,352
 
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NX sales so far in U.S.:

2014 - 2,927
2015 - 43,764
2016 - 54,884
2017 - 59,341
2018 - 62,079
2019 - 58,715
Total = 281,710

X3 sales since inception in U.S.:

1X3

2004 - 34,604
2005 - 30,769
2006 - 31,291
2007 - 28,058
2008 - 17,622
2009 - 6,067
2010 - 6,075
2X3
2011 - 27,793
2012 - 35,173
2013 - 30,623
2014 - 33,824
2015 - 31,924
2016 - 44,196
2017 - 40,691
3X3
2018 - 61,351
2019 - 70,110
Total = 530,171

X4 sales since inception in U.S.:

1X4

2014 - 2,653
2015 - 6,429
2016 - 4,989
2017 - 5,198
2018 - 4,323
2X4
2019 - 8,758
Total = 32,350

GLC sales since inception in U.S.:

1GLC (fka GLK)

2009 - 21,944
2010 - 20,946
2011 - 24,310
2012 - 29,364
2013 - 32,553
2014 - 35,000
2015 - 27,902
2GLC
2016 - 47,872
2017 - 48,643
2018 - 69,727
2019 - 73,650
Total = 431,916

Q5 sales since inception in U.S.:

1Q5

2009 - 13,790
2010 - 23,518
2011 - 24,908
2012 - 28,671
2013 - 40,355
2014 - 42,420
2015 - 52,006
2016 - 49,550
2017 - 57,640
2Q5
2018 - 69,978
2019 - 67,516
Total = 470,352
Why people don't buy the NX, is it the lack of powerful drivetrain?
 

zeusus

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Why people don't buy the NX, is it the lack of powerful drivetrain?

Most likely due to NX being at the end of it's cycle.

I believe X3 and Q5 were all new in 2018. 2020 GLC was released in May 2019 but began sales at the end of 2019.

Brand new NX (2021MY?) is supposed to come this year. Not sure if any delays will affect that.
 

Sulu

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Why people don't buy the NX, is it the lack of powerful drivetrain?
Most likely due to NX being at the end of it's cycle.

I believe X3 and Q5 were all new in 2018. 2020 GLC was released in May 2019 but began sales at the end of 2019.

Brand new NX (2021MY?) is supposed to come this year. Not sure if any delays will affect that.
NX sales have been very consistent over the last 3 years, even with the introduction of the newer, smaller UX a year ago.
 

Lexus Cohen

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When you look at Lexus' lineup in comparison to Mercedes and BMW they're actually not doing too bad. Mercedes and BMW have way more Cars/SUVs.
RX is just untouchable, while the NX is slowly making its way to the top of that segment. Lexus should be working on their new GS and IS respectively, keep the GS going!
 
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Toyota brand sales fell 7.2 percent in December to 172,048, pulled down by falloffs in sales of its pickups as well as its top-selling sedans. Lexus sales, meanwhile, slid 0.6 percent in the month to 35,325, as gains in the luxury brand's lineup of crossovers offset sharp losses from its sedan and coupes.

For the year, Toyota sales finished at 2,085,235, down 2 percent, while Lexus sold 298,114, down 0.6 percent.

Brands: Toyota, down 7.2%; Lexus, down 0.6% in December

Notable nameplates: Toyota Camry, down 9.6%; Corolla, down 6.7%; Tacoma, down 3.7%; Tundra, down 22.3%; RAV4, up 6.8%; Highlander, down 11.6%; Lexus RX, up 6.4%; NX, down 9.2%; ES, down 6.7%

Incentives: $2,811 per vehicle, up 14% from a year earlier, ALG says. But Toyota disputes the number and says it is inflated. Through the first half of December, a spokesman for the automaker said its incentive spend was up 8.8%, but that full month's totals weren't yet available.

Average transaction price: $33,363, up 2.3% from a year earlier, according to ALG

Fleet mix: 10%, Toyota says
 

Trexus

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Why people don't buy the NX, is it the lack of powerful drivetrain?

Agreed somewhat. BMW has the X3 M (473 hp), X3 M Competition (503 hp) and Mercedes has the GLC 43 (385 hp), GLC 63 (469 hp), GLC 63 S (503 hp). Lexus needs to catch up and surpass it's competition (BMW, Mercedes and Audi). An NX F with at least 450 hp - 505 hp would definitely catch up and surpass it's competition...

However on a lighter note we will get an NX plugin hybrid which gets even better mpg's...Lexus needs to expand the NX line with more variants...
 

Trexus

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Update of RX sales:

1RX

1999 - 90,338
2000 - 89,864
2001 - 77,426
2002 - 72,963
2003 - 92,366
2RX
2004 - 106,531
2005 - 108,775
2006 - 108,348
2007 - 103,340
2008 - 84,181
2009 - 93,379
3RX
2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
4RX
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641
2019 - 111,036 My projection 109,000 - 112,000
Total = 2,053,716

GLE sales since inception in U.S.:

1GLE (fka ML Class)

1998 - Sales Data Not Available
1999 - Sales Data Not Available
2000 - Sales Data Not Available
2001 - 45,655
2002 - 39,679
2003 - 30,017
2004 - 25,681
2005 - 34,959
2GLE (fka ML Class)
2006 - 31,632
2007 - 33,879
2008 - 34,320
2009 - 25,799
2010 - 29,689
2011 - 35,835
3GLE
2012 - 38,101
2013 - 41,326
2014 - 46,726
2015 - 53,217
2016 - 51,791
2017 - 54,595
2018 - 46,010
2019 - 49,980
4GLE
2020 - 52,000 My Projection
Total = 748,891 + 52,000 = 800,891
 

Lexus Cohen

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Agreed somewhat. BMW has the X3 M (473 hp), X3 M Competition (503 hp) and Mercedes has the GLC 43 (385 hp), GLC 63 (469 hp), GLC 63 S (503 hp). Lexus needs to catch up and surpass it's competition (BMW, Mercedes and Audi). An NX F with at least 450 hp - 505 hp would definitely catch up and surpass it's competition...

However on a lighter note we will get an NX plugin hybrid which gets even better mpg's...Lexus needs to expand the NX line with more variants...
RX also
 

Will1991

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I'm starting to think BMW and Mercedes have a problem with US sales, as:

-> Mercedes (315k units):
GLA, GLB, GLC, GLC C, GLE, GLE C, GLS, G, A Sedan, C Sedan, E Sedan, S Sedan, Maybach, E Wagon, CLA, C Coupe, E Coupe, CLS Coupe, S Coupe, AMG GT, AMG GT 4-door, C Cabrio, E Cabrio, S Cabrio, SLC, SL, AMG GT Cabrio.

-> BMW (311k units):
X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, 3, 5, 7, i3, 2, 2GC, 4, 4GC, 8, 8GC, i8, 2 cabrio, 4 cabrio, 8 cabrio, i8 Cabrio, Z4.

-> Lexus (295k units):
IS, ES, GS, LS, UX, NX, RX, GX, LX, RC, LC.

I will not argue the urgent need for news (updates, new models, performance models) because in my view is unquestionable, but, seeing this sales results maybe we're looking for Lexus to be more like the germans while the germans would like to be more like Lexus... Profit margins from the germans should be terrible next to Lexus...

In Europe, BMW/Mercedes/Audi sell a lot more than Lexus but Lexus is growing and if they show up with proper key cars (new IS, new NX) and PHEV/BEV's, I believe they can take a lot of costumers from them...

Their lineup is even bigger in Europe, some models fight for the same costumers...
 

Gecko

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I'm starting to think BMW and Mercedes have a problem with US sales, as:

-> Mercedes (315k units):
GLA, GLB, GLC, GLC C, GLE, GLE C, GLS, G, A Sedan, C Sedan, E Sedan, S Sedan, Maybach, E Wagon, CLA, C Coupe, E Coupe, CLS Coupe, S Coupe, AMG GT, AMG GT 4-door, C Cabrio, E Cabrio, S Cabrio, SLC, SL, AMG GT Cabrio.

-> BMW (311k units):
X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, 3, 5, 7, i3, 2, 2GC, 4, 4GC, 8, 8GC, i8, 2 cabrio, 4 cabrio, 8 cabrio, i8 Cabrio, Z4.

-> Lexus (295k units):
IS, ES, GS, LS, UX, NX, RX, GX, LX, RC, LC.

I will not argue the urgent need for news (updates, new models, performance models) because in my view is unquestionable, but, seeing this sales results maybe we're looking for Lexus to be more like the germans while the germans would like to be more like Lexus... Profit margins from the germans should be terrible next to Lexus...

In Europe, BMW/Mercedes/Audi sell a lot more than Lexus but Lexus is growing and if they show up with proper key cars (new IS, new NX) and PHEV/BEV's, I believe they can take a lot of costumers from them...

Their lineup is even bigger in Europe, some models fight for the same costumers...

Great points.

It's hard to say what the best solution is since each market is different and will have unique needs. BMW and Mercedes have given multiple interviews in the last few years talking about reducing and consolidating niche and coupe models... and yet they seem to keep coming? I really don't know... seems strange.

Since MB and BMW have no "Toyota" partner, models like GLA, 1 series, 2 series, A Class, CLA, etc. compete in segments where Lexus doesn't need to be present. When you cut those entry level models, the gap narrows a bit, but the Germans also have more flagship product whereas Lexus does not.

It's hardest to look at their approach to sedans. The Germans still have so many passenger cars with 4 doors, and soon Lexus will only have three. My assumption is that the next generation ES will be a more competitive, full-cycle product that helps to fill a larger area in the lineup. This generation, while a nice car, clearly has some compromises (late term GS cancellation). But... with declining passenger car sales across the world, how many sedans are really needed? I think the Germans have too many.

I think that longer term, almost all of the luxury sedans will take on a "four door coupe" shape to survive, as buying a sedan is going to become a lifestyle statement the way that buying a coupe has been historically. If Lexus can give us sexy, swoopy IS, ES and LS while maintaining headroom and the core qualities that Lexus shoppers want, then I do not see a need for more sedans.

Once the LF-1 arrives, I think it's hard to estimate what else Lexus might need for net-new models. If you look at the lineup from UX to LC, the biggest holes I see are BEV, PHEVs and hybrids... but those can be adapted to current models.
 

ssun30

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I've compared the different approaches of Lexus vs. BBA before. The former has a lean lineup aimed for maximum efficiency of execution while the latter chases maximum TAM at the cost of efficiency - there's a lot of fixed cost to have a huge lineup, and a modular platform does not help with that.

IMO the problem is both sides are going too extreme. Lexus is just about three core products, while BBA are trying to fill too many niches that don't exist. For BBA the biggest problem is they still don't have an answer for RX which remains uncontested in the single most important segment for premium brands.

The story of Genesis is just sad. Their engineering and design team know how to make good luxury cars. But their sales and marketing department are the most incompetent in the industry. And leaving the brand without crossovers for so many years is a huge irreversible mistake.