February 2016 Luxury Car Sales Thread

[Gecko]

It's that time of the month and @mikeavelli is busy today, so here we go!

Sub-Compact CUV:

Encore: 5,873
GLA: 1,597
X1: 1,418
Q3: 988

Compact CUV:

RDX: 3,798
X3: 3,733
NX: 3,709
GLC/GLK: 3,278
Q5: 2,421
MKC: 1,746
QX50: 1,396
Discovery Sport: 1,324
XC60: 1,187
Macan: 1,012
Evoque: 823
X4: 522

Midsize C/SUV:

RX: 7,192
MDX: 4,292
Enclave: 4,126
SRX: 4,017
GLE/ML: 3,948
X5: 3,842
QX60: 2,730
XC90: 2,472
MKX: 2,375
Q7: 1,653
GX: 1,650
Cayenne: 1,328
LR4: 1,047
QX70: 712
X6: 624

Flagship C/SUV:

Escalade (+ESV): 2,867
Range Rover: 1,538
QX80: 1,487
GL: 1,226
Navigator: 957
LX 570: 527
G Class: 286

Compacts/Sub-Compacts:

Verano: 3,066
A3: 2,183
ILX: 1,500
CLA: 1,474
CT: 762

Entry Level Sedan:

C Class: 6,102
3 Series: 4,595
ES: 3,826
Q50: 3,364
TLX: 3,080
IS: 2,961
LaCrosse: 2,643
MKZ: 2,128
A4: 1,827
Regal: 1,608
ATS: 1,591
S60: 823

Midsize Sedan:

5 Series: 2,758
E Class + CLS Combined: 2,700
XTS: 1,813
CTS: 1,461
GS: 1,167
A6: 1,064
XF: 790
MKS: 599
Q70: 494
A7: 429
RLX: 103
S80: 43

Flagship Sedan:

S Class: 1,558
7 Series: 616
LS: 374
XJ: 356
Panamera: 293
A8: 218

Coupes/Convertibles:

4 Series: 2,683
2 Series: 1,085
RC: 920
A5: 602
Z4: 515
911/918: 498
Cascada: 495
Boxster/Cayman: 430
SL: 369
SLK: 270
6 Series (coupe + sedan): 265
TT: 200
Q60: 172
AMG GT: 95
ELR: 91
R8: 9

Luxury sales race, YTD:

Mercedes: 47,605
Lexus: 44,167
BMW: 40,580
Buick: 36,080
Audi: 23,568
Acura: 23,023
Cadillac: 22,580
Infiniti: 18,885
Lincoln: 15,216
Land Rover: 12,072
Volvo: 9,504
Porsche: 7,915
Jaguar: 2,864

 

[mmcartalk]

Thanks for covering for Mike, Gecko.

I guess they didn't break down Land Rover into separate vehicles...just mentioned it as a entire brand at the bottom. Ordinarily, the Range Rover would be with other large premium SUVs (LX570, Escalade, etc...), and the Evoq would be with the compact premium CUV's.

 

[Gecko]

I haven't gotten those numbers for Feb - will add them when I find them!

 

[Brooks2IS]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[oem_is300]

Formatting got a little weird, but after seeing the Lexus Feb 2016 Sales Report thread, I was curious to see how the breakdown by type was for each manufacturer. Used the numbers from this thread and threw together a quick spreadsheet. It looks like midsize SUV (RX) and entry level sedan (IS and ES) are the big ones for Lexus. BMW has big numbers in the coupe category because they've got three coupes available (2-series, 4-series, and 6-series). I thought it was interesting to see this breakdown since it kind of highlights the areas where each manufacturer is doing well.

Edit: fixed it by just attaching the screenshot

 

[mmcartalk]

It looks like midsize SUV (RX) and entry level sedan (IS and ES) are the big ones for Lexus.

That's the way it's been for Lexus for decades.

BMW has big numbers in the coupe category because they've got three coupes available (2-series, 4-series, and 6-series). I thought it was interesting to see this breakdown since it kind of highlights the areas where each manufacturer is doing well.

On the other hand, BMW markets several lines of coupes because, unlike with some other manufacturers, there is a significant demand for them...especially with the 4-series and older 3-series coupes (which do very well on the used car market). The only BMW coupe that I can remember being dropped in the U.S. was the old 850....and there are even plans to bring back a replacement for even that as well.

 

[Gecko]

I know I'm a tad ahead of myself here, but I will be interested to see how Lexus handles the NX refresh, particularly with regard to the interior. When I was at the LA Auto Show, I spent some time in the new Mercedes GLC and that interior absolutely blows the NX away. To be brutally honest, I felt like the NX was more of a "trim up" from the Rav4 and less of a real Lexus interior. Good news for Lexus is that the X3 and Q5 interiors are pretty lackluster, so the NX isn't overshadowed by them.

The NX's door panels are pretty flat and boring, the dashboard has a sort of pedestrian looking waterfall design that we've seen in so many other (economy) cars over the years. Lexus has upped the game recently with interiors like the RX and LC, so I will be interested to see how much of an investment they plan to make when refreshing the NX. By then, there will be a new Q5 and X3 to contend with, and NX will be oldest in it's class.

Considering its standout sales success, I also think it's worth Lexus considering ways to expand the NX lineup for the next generation. The two engine choices we've had this time have been so popular that I think there is room for a third. If Lexus was ever to have such a powertrain, a larger turbocharged four cylinder with more horsepower would be a great addition.

 

[mmcartalk]

I know I'm a tad ahead of myself here, but I will be interested to see how Lexus handles the NX refresh, particularly with regard to the interior. When I was at the LA Auto Show, I spent some time in the new Mercedes GLC and that interior absolutely blows the NX away. To be brutally honest, I felt like the NX was more of a "trim up" from the Rav4 and less of a real Lexus interior. Good news for Lexus is that the X3 and Q5 interiors are pretty lackluster, so the NX isn't overshadowed by them.

The NX's door panels are pretty flat and boring, the dashboard has a sort of pedestrian looking waterfall design that we've seen in so many other (economy) cars over the years. Lexus has upped the game recently with interiors like the RX and LC, so I will be interested to see how much of an investment they plan to make when refreshing the NX. By then, there will be a new Q5 and X3 to contend with, and NX will be oldest in it's class.

Considering its standout sales success, I also think it's worth Lexus considering ways to expand the NX lineup for the next generation. The two engine choices we've had this time have been so popular that I think there is room for a third. If Lexus was ever to have such a powertrain, a larger turbocharged four cylinder with more horsepower would be a great addition.

Agreed....I was nowhere near as impressed with the NX as with the new RX....even considering the price difference.

On the engine issue........since there's already one turbo 4, how about a small V6, then, for refinement, instead of a larger turbo four? That's the mistake that Lincoln, IMO, made with the MKC...two turbo fours. The V6, could be small enough that it doesn't drag the CAFE numbers down significantly. A good candidate would be one similar to the one used in the former IS250.

 

[Gecko]

Volvo, Buick, Cadillac, Land Rover/Jaguar now added!

 

[Gecko]

On the engine issue........since there's already one turbo 4, how about a small V6, then, for refinement, instead of a larger turbo four? That's the mistake that Lincoln, IMO, made with the MKC...two turbo fours. The V6, could be small enough that it doesn't drag the CAFE numbers down significantly. A good candidate would be one similar to the one used in the former IS250.

Agree with you very much on a V6. Droppin in a ~300hp V6 would be really nice... just not sure how much power that chassis could handle. The last generation Rav4 with a 3.5L 268hp V6 was more engine than the car was really engineered to manage. Maybe their new flexible platform will be better. However, with the trend of downsizing + FI, not sure we'll see a V6 anyway.

 

[Born2Drive]

Buick is no luxury brand at all. Please delete it from there.

 

[mikeavelli]

Thanks Gecko!!!!

Buick is no luxury brand at all. Please delete it from there.

If we delete Buick, then we have to delete Acura. Both are sub entry level luxury brands and they do have some products that compete head on. They both should be left.

 

[mmcartalk]

Agree with you very much on a V6. Droppin in a ~300hp V6 would be really nice... just not sure how much power that chassis could handle. The last generation Rav4 with a 3.5L 268hp V6 was more engine than the car was really engineered to manage. Maybe their new flexible platform will be better. However, with the trend of downsizing + FI, not sure we'll see a V6 anyway.

That was my point, though. It does not have to be a large, high-powered V6. For years, the IS250 and Infiniti G25 used compact, refined V6s that (admittedly) were low in the power department but high on refinement. The IS250 sold very well....the G25 didn't.

Ford, however, is taking up your idea with the upcoming Fusion Sport.....a 355-HP EcoBoost twin-turbo V6.

 

[mmcartalk]

If we delete Buick, then we have to delete Acura. Both are sub entry level luxury brands and they do have some products that compete head on. They both should be left.

Correct. Consumer Reports also lists various Buick products in either "Luxury" or "Entry-Level Luxury" categories, depending on the vehicle.

 

[Born2Drive]

Thanks Gecko!!!!



If we delete Buick, then we have to delete Acura. Both are sub entry level luxury brands and they do have some products that compete head on. They both should be left.

Yeah, we can do that.

People can argue all day that Acura/Lincoln/Volvo are luxury brands or not. But, I don't think that any people on the streets regards Buick as a luxury brand at all, sans a few Buick owners.
GM really should sell Buick brand to China.
We all know that Cadillac is the luxury brand from America!

 

[mikeavelli]

Buick has a long history and to their credit has really improved their product line the past few years. If we look at their lineup and Acura's they are pretty damn similar.

I started adding Buick a few years ago based on their improved product line which closely matches Acura's. Hell they pretty much drive the same too

 

[mmcartalk]

Buick has a long history and to their credit has really improved their product line the past few years. If we look at their lineup and Acura's they are pretty damn similar.

I started adding Buick a few years ago based on their improved product line which closely matches Acura's. Hell they pretty much drive the same too

Most of Buick's recent improvements in build-quality have been in the Opel-derived vehicles (Verano, Regal, Encore, and Cascada). The (present) LaCrosse and Enclave, while more comfortable, larger inside, and easy-riding than the smaller Opel-based vehicles, are closer to the old traditional GM cheapness in design and materials. Of course, an all-new LaCrosse is coming later this year.......which may (?) merit other comments.

 

[Born2Drive]

Long history means little, many British and American brands with longer history are dead. And, improvements are not enough by any luxury standards. I agree on Acura's line looks pretty bad in recent year. However, it has NSX! Some car that Buick never had nor will have..... Acura had old NSX and legend. I am sure those vehicles made some great impacts on the auto industry.

 

[Gecko]

With Buick's success, I doubt GM will be doing much of anything in the way of offloading and downsizing the brand.

If I recall correctly, GM's decision to keep Buick during the bankruptcy was mostly due to strong growth and brand recognition in China. Buick has quite frankly flourished since then, in America and abroad... unfortunately, moreso than Cadillac.

GM had this vision that Cadillac could exist as a "true luxury" brand and Buick would serve as the entry-level luxury brand, and while that may indeed be true, I think Cadillac's biggest problem is Buick. As luxury brands have focused on downsizing and CUVs over the last few years, Buick has more of both types of products than Cadillac. Cadillac's are also more expensive, obviously, and while I think the price increase is justified - to many people, Buick's products are "good enough" to pass as luxury with wood, leather and common premium features. Cadillacs and Buicks were sold on the same lots at the same dealers for years, too - let's not forget that.

Buick has a three row CUV, a compact CUV coming and a sub-combact CUV that's already here. All Cadillac has is the two row XT5/SRX. Many manufacturers are using inexpensive FWD platforms for entry level products like GLA, A3, CT 200h, etc. Cadillac can't really go there because that's Buick's territory, where they have Verano, Regal and Encore.

In my opinion, GM's "true luxury" strategy makes sense for consumers at the top end of the market with flagship sedans, coupes and SUVs, but quite frankly, Buick is beating Caddy at the lower and middle segments of the "luxury" market.

Kind of a shame how it worked out for Cadillac...

 

[mmcartalk]

With Buick's success, I doubt GM will be doing much of anything in the way of offloading and downsizing the brand.

If I recall correctly, GM's decision to keep Buick during the bankruptcy was mostly due to strong growth and brand recognition in China.

Yes, that was part of the reason, but also because GM needed to keep an intermediate brand between Chevy and Cadillac. After Oldsmobile folded in 2004, many of their former customers had already converted to Buick (the most obvious choice for them). Pontiac had a couple of nicely-done Holden products (GTO, G8) that just weren't selling, and except for that, offered little except for a low-cost hard-top convertible G6....and most of their dometically-designed interiors s**ked with bargain-basement materials. So, Pontiac pretty much had to go, leaving Buick as the natural choice for an intermediate brand. Saturn had started out on an excellent footing in the 90s, but GM's gross mismanagment doomed it after the turn of the century.

Buick has quite frankly flourished since then, in America and abroad... unfortunately, more so than Cadillac.

Cadillac and Lincoln both made the mistake of dumping their popular flagships (DTS, Town Car) before developing suitable replacements. The MKS and XTS simply didn't cut it. We'll see if the CT6 and Continental can do so. The Continental, in particular, looks quite impressive.

GM had this vision that Cadillac could exist as a "true luxury" brand and Buick would serve as the entry-level luxury brand, and while that may indeed be true, I think Cadillac's biggest problem is Buick. As luxury brands have focused on downsizing and CUVs over the last few years, Buick has more of both types of products than Cadillac. Cadillac's are also more expensive, obviously, and while I think the price increase is justified - to many people, Buick's products are "good enough" to pass as luxury with wood, leather and common premium features. Cadillacs and Buicks were sold on the same lots at the same dealers for years, too - let's not forget that.

You are correct on that. Buick is indeed a problem for Cadillac.

IMO, especially after four years of experience, I have found the Verano, at 25K, to be one of the best bargains in the industry....offering Opel-based Buick refinement at a Chevy price. The only thing that 25K gets at Cadillac is a down payment LOL.

Buicks, though, can also run quite a bit in some instances. A loaded Regal AWD can run 45K, a loaded LaCrosse AWD more than that, and a loaded Enclave up to 55K or more.

Buick has a three row CUV, a compact CUV coming and a sub-combact CUV that's already here. All Cadillac has is the two row XT5/SRX. Many manufacturers are using inexpensive FWD platforms for entry level products like GLA, A3, CT 200h, etc. Cadillac can't really go there because that's Buick's territory, where they have Verano, Regal and Encore.

To be fair, though, Cadillac has, in addition to the mid-size XT5 (SRX replacement), both an larger XT7 SUV and a compact CUV (probably the XT3) on the way.

Some good comments, BTW, Gecko.