Autoblog

Mercedes could reclaim No. 2 luxury spot from Audi by 2015

Scott Burgess — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

A report by the Center of Automotive Research at the university of Duisburg-Essen in Germany has revealed that Mercedes-Benz, currently the number three luxury carmaker, could move up to number two in 2015, Automotive News reported. Mercedes owned the second slot until last year, when Audi overtook it. BMW has held the lead in the luxury market since 2005.

"We aim to be the front-runner wherever we compete on a permanent basis," Zetsche said in a speech earlier this month. "Wherever we are not number one, we will strive to become it," he added.

BMW will sell 1.76 million vehicles in 2015, followed by Mercedes with 1.68 million and Audi with 1.63 million, the CAR report said. One of the reasons Mercedes could see such growth is that it intends to introduce 10 new models by 2015, including a sportier version of the A Class (above).

Audi and BMW have no plans to cede any ground to Mercedes in the World War of Luxury Vehicles as the two German brands continue to vie for number one. Audi has said it plans to sell two million vehicles by 2020, which would surpass BMW and Mini total sales. Additionally, Audi plans to build a plant in Mexico, which could increase it's U.S. lineup from 16 vehicles to 27.

Mercedes could reclaim No. 2 luxury spot from Audi by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce records highest annual sales in 107-year history

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Rolls-Royce, Earnings/Financials, UK, Luxury

Some would say that 2011 wasn't exactly a banner year, but the good chaps at Rolls-Royce would likely respond with a definitive "Poppycock!" That's because the 107-year-old brand experienced its best-ever sales totals in 2011, with 3,538 very expensive autos sold around the globe. That's a 31 percent increase over the 2,711 models sold in 2010, thanks mostly to brisk sales of the Ghost and Phantom models.

With sales up 31 percent, it's clear that the storied automaker was on fire the world over, but certain markets really catapulted the marque. In fact, sales in Asia were up 47 percent, and the U.S. saw 17 percent growth. Austerity measures in England didn't stop the craze for new Rolls-Royce models, either, with sales up 30 percent.

It may not be all that exciting to see that the rich can afford more Rolls Royce models, but we're guessing the 1,000 employees working in Goodwood are probably tickled at the brand's rising popularity. Hit the jump to read over the official Rolls-Royce press release.

Continue reading Rolls-Royce records highest annual sales in 107-year history

Rolls-Royce records highest annual sales in 107-year history originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lexus may offer $3,000 rebate to beat Mercedes

Chris Shunk — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Earnings/Financials

Though the first eight months of 2010, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz were in a dead heat in the race to be crowned the top-selling luxury brand in the States. But big-time September sales at Mercedes-Benz pulled the German marque ahead of Lexus by a substantial 3,000 units, really putting the heat on Toyota's luxury arm. Could Mercedes pull off the upset to unseat Lexus for the first time since 2000? Not if Lexus can help it.

USA Today reports that Lexus announced during dealer meetings this week that it will slap up to $3,000 in incentives on the hood of its vehicles in an effort to entice buyers to shell out for a new L-branded car, crossover or SUV. In some cases, Lexus will reportedly also resort to cut-rate financing rate in an effort to spur sales.

The move is a bit surprising given Lexus's penchant for asking for and receiving full retail for its products, though 2010 hasn't been the best year for the Japanese premium marque. Given the fact that Lexus has earned its success on the heels of a terrific reputation for quality, the recall of millions of Toyota and Lexus models for unintended acceleration issues has likely hurt sales and certainly dinged its reputation. Add in the fact that the high-volume ES350 and top-of-the-line LS are a bit long-in-the-tooth, and it adds up to a possibility that Lexus may lose its hard-earned sales crown.

[Source: USA Today]

Report: Lexus may offer $3,000 rebate to beat Mercedes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is BMW poised to take the luxury sales crown from Lexus?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: BMW, Lexus

2009 BMW 3-Series - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus has been the undisputed king of luxury automotive sales in the U.S. for the 21st century. It hasn't even been close. BMW has played second fiddle the entire decade, but through the first eight months of 2009, the German luxury car maker has made some major gains on its Japanese luxury competitor. In fact, through August only 2,293 vehicles separate BMW from becoming the new king of the mountain.

BMW's climb to the top of the sales charts comes during a sales downturn the likes of which hasn't been seen in decades, yet the Bavarian automaker has weathered the storm much better than Lexus. BMW sales are down 33,000 units versus the first eight months of 2008, a 28 percent decline. Lexus is down an amazing 40 percent through eight months, a 40,000 unit decline. BMW owes much of its momentum to the venerable 3-Series, which is down 24 percent on the year yet still handily outselling the Lexus IS and ES. Lexus is staying in the lead on the back of its perennially successful RX crossover, which is down only four percent over the year.

While BMW has plenty to be proud of in a down year, catching Lexus is no sure thing. Lexus actually bested BMW by a substantial 3,600 units in August, proof that Toyota's luxury arm is getting stronger as the year progresses. In the end, top luxury sales is only good for one thing, and that's marketing. Lexus has been number one so long that it doesn't even need to brag any more, but if BMW manages to pull out the win in 2009, we're sure there'll be more than a couple celebratory commercials.

Gallery: 2009 BMW 3 Series

[Source: Free Press]

Is BMW poised to take the luxury sales crown from Lexus? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The rich are affected: Luxury car sales declining

Dan Roth — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Earnings/Financials

Luxury car sales are off by at least one-third compared to last year's numbers, and the end is probably not in sight. In past recessions, the wealthy have been insulated by their money, but not this time. Real estate and banking are responsible for a large amount of the financial pickle we're in, and as those sectors get walloped by reality, the luxury cars typically purchased by agents, brokers, and bankers are languishing.

Those that haven't lost their shirts are also either holding on to what they've got for now, or buying something less ostentatious. While you might miss out on a certain brand cachet by trading a Mercedes for a Prius, it's a different kind of status symbol, just the same. Besides, why bother paying so much for a premium car when a loaded "normal" vehicle can be had with features that were once the exclusive realm of luxury cars? A desire to be less flashy, a newfound concern about the environment, and a beat-down portfolio have converged to generate the perfect financial storm, killing momentum for luxury car sales. Things might turn around a bit as environmentally conscious premium cars become available. There are the new diesels, and Lexus will have its own dedicated hybrid when the HS250h goes on sale this fall. Before any of that happens, however, current inventory will have to be cleared, so now might just be the perfect time to pick up a luxury car at a steep discount.

[Source: Detroit News, Photo: Niello Porsche]

The rich are affected: Luxury car sales declining originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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