Making bold predictions is a risky proposition at best. But noting trends is relatively straight forward and many times leads to the same end result.
The top of American luxury market is a highly lucrative and sought after position. We have become accustom to Lexus leading this race for quite sometime, and even with the tumultuous economy year last this was no exception. The battle for top sales spot has always been a close one with a little over 20,000 vehicle separating the top three positions last year.
On the surface the 2010 year is no different with maybe a few notable exceptions.
The sales at this time of the year are closer than they have ever been before and we have the following factors to consider.
With 145,490 unit sold, Lexus is up 11% YTD which isn’t too bad. However they have experiencing fading sales since June losing more ground each month and have nothing on the horizon to save them. What is up with that strategy?
With 139,867 units sold, Mercedes sales are up 18.1% YTD with no slow down in sight, and at the current pace they could pass Lexus as early as next month and take over the number one spot. This might not worry too many people if it weren’t for the lack of ground breaking models on Lexus behalf for the 2011 model year to spur sales in the later part of the year.
At 139,236 units sold BMW is only up 5.6% YTD. But even at this mild pace, they MIGHT sneak ahead of Lexus if they doesn’t do something quickly. (IE: Discounting). Again BMW has been busy with new models while Lexus has simply sat on refreshes.
If this all plays out at this rate, then by the end of the year Lexus could very well fall into THIRD place in the US Market!
Think of the advantage that could be lost and how long it would take to make up the ground.
Go ahead and discuss your take on this scenario and let us know who will Win, Place, and Show for the 2010 Luxury sales crown and why. Also while you are on the topic, what would it take for Lexus to save it all and end up up on top?
2011 Lexus IS Photo Gallery
2011 Hyundai Equus Photo Gallery
2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Photo Gallery
2011 Ford Edge Crossover Photo Gallery
Concours D'Elegance Monterey 2010 Photo Gallery