Will Lexus Regain The Luxury Sales Lead In '13?

I do have to credit Lexus with price competition. Sadly, it created a period of quality issues.

1992 500SEL based at roughly 85K, 2012 S550 bases at roughly 95K. 1992 190E based around 30K, 2012 C250 bases around 35K. That says something.

#9 of 21 looking like third place for 2012 by steve_ HOST

Dec 03, 2012 (6:32 pm)

Lousy sales in Europe means more buys for US luxury consumers.

"Germany's three big luxury auto makers racked up record U.S. sales in November, fueled by aggressive holiday promotions and new models.

The German brands have used a combination of incentives to woo customers, including cash rebates, early lease buyouts and cheap leases. BMW and Mercedes are pushing aggressively to claim the crown as the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S.

Boosting U.S. sales is especially critical for the German luxury brands because demand in Europe is declining, and is expected to remain depressed for some time, according to industry executives.

BMW and Mercedes both are on track to beat the Lexus brand of Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. for the second year in a row."

German Luxury-Car Brands Surge in U.S. (WSJ)

#10 of 21 BMW > MB by steve_ HOST

Jan 06, 2013 (7:38 pm)

"BMW AG's U.S. sales surged 39 percent in December, powered by the 5 Series car line, helping it top Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz in luxury auto deliveries for the second consecutive year."

BMW 39% December gain overtakes Mercedes for U.S. crown (Detroit News)

Replies to this message:

fintail (Jan 07, 2013 11:53 am)

#11 of 21 Re: BMW > MB [steve_] by fintail

Jan 07, 2013 (11:53 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 06, 2013 7:38 pm)

I am kind of surprised at that - the good 5er lease rates must have worked. I thought the F10 wasn't exactly setting things on fire sales-wise, so far.

#14 of 21 Lexus still stumbling by steve_ HOST

Mar 12, 2013 (4:56 pm)

And guess who's running and gunning?

"Six years ago, Audi trailed both of its German rivals in sales and cachet, and nowhere more so than in the U.S. Since then, it has nearly doubled its U.S. model lineup and prodded its American dealers to invest some $206 million in sleek and airy new showrooms over the past three years. Along the way, it has crafted an image as the upstart alternative to its more blue-blooded premium rivals, tapping into a luxury ethos that's favored the high, yet minimalist, design typical of Audis. "We have put a lot of work in recent years toward winning over the U.S.," said Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler."

Audi Races for Luxury Crown (WSJ)

Replies to this message:

fintail (Mar 12, 2013 5:50 pm)
- hpmctorque (Mar 12, 2013 9:03 pm)
  - fintail (Mar 13, 2013 7:09 am) and 2 more...

#15 of 21 Re: Lexus still stumbling [steve_] by fintail

Mar 12, 2013 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Mar 12, 2013 4:56 pm)

Funny, Audi and MB are in the same dealer group in my town, and when I bought my car, the MB salesman was badmouthing Audi pretty hard. I like some of the styling, but I don't like the popup nav screens, and they seem to lease more expensive than the competition. Also the fact that a 4cyl FWD A6 exists here is kind of kooky.

Still an amazing comeback though, 20 years ago they were effectively dead. The brand must be thanking its lucky stars for China.

Ad also mentions that the acceleration debacle caused Lexus to lose prestige. Nah, that wasn't it.

Replies to this message:

hpmctorque (Mar 12, 2013 9:03 pm)
- fintail (Mar 13, 2013 7:09 am)
  - hpmctorque (Mar 16, 2013 6:55 am) and 1 more...

#16 of 21 Re: Lexus still stumbling [fintail] by hpmctorque

Mar 12, 2013 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Mar 12, 2013 5:50 pm)

I believe that China is now MB's biggest market, although Audi may have been helped more by China.

The base engine in the 5er is also a turbo-4, but the fact that it's RWD may give it some additional luxury status. Would you feel differently about the 4 cylinder Audi if Quattro were standard?

Replies to this message:

fintail (Mar 13, 2013 7:09 am)
- hpmctorque (Mar 16, 2013 6:55 am)
  - fintail (Mar 16, 2013 8:27 am)

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