February 2013 Luxury Car Sales In America

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class's New
Face, And Some Other Guy's Face

Strong C-Class sales have propelled Mercedes-Benz USA to a meaningful lead in the premium brand sector in the first two months of 2013. The C-Class sedan and coupe have built up a 2712-unit lead over the BMW 3-Series, which also trails the Lexus RX utility by 528 units.

Sales of premium brand hatchbacks have struggled so far this year. The Audi A3, soon to be replaced at least in part by a new sedan, the Lexus CT200h, and the dying Volvo C30 have fallen 41%, 18%, and 37% through two months. In a not dissimilar price bracket, the Buick Verano (reviewed in Turbo form by GoodCarBadCar) and Acura ILX have been wildly more popular. 

All 251 Vehicles Ranked By February & 2013 YTD Sales

Click Either Chart For Larger View

Larger, but still affordable luxury cars like the Acura TL, Lincoln MKZ, and Infiniti G have posted huge declines in early 2013. The MKZ has been replaced, but inventory is low. The G37 will soon be replaced by the gorgeous Q50. In February 2013, the TL posted its fifth consecutive month of year-over-year decline.

GoodCarBadCar breaks down the luxury car segment into multiple categories, not because this is a segment breakdown site, but because we endeavour to display cars alongside their nearest competitors, if not in pricing terms than in size terms. Automakers aren't beholden to specific "midsize" dimensions, nor are they restricted price-wise by the image their logo represents. (You'll find luxury flagship sedans showcased in this post.) We're always open to suggestions on how you would like to see segments broken down, so feel free to contact GCBC Towers at your leisure.

Of this there can be no doubt: the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series are direct competitors. Mercedes-Benz brings more bodystyles to the table, but BMW's 5er did outsell the E-Class by 37 units in February. The Benz leads year-to-date standings by 2847 sales. A facelifted E-Class, which includes an all-wheel-drive E63 AMG, should further cement Mercedes-Benz's leadership in the category, one it dominates with the 5-Series' assistance.

Historical monthly and yearly sales figures for all these luxury vehicles, including the mainstream players which make the voyage over from these midsize and large car sales posts, can be accessed by clicking the model names in the table below or by selecting a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page.

Click Column Headers To Sort - January 2013 Edition - February 2012 Edition

Entry Luxury Car	February  2013	% Change	Year  To  Date	YTD % Change
Acura ILX *	1997	-----	3555	-----
Audi A3	392	- 16.4%	623	- 40.9%
Buick Verano *	4171	+ 147%	7831	+ 215%
Lexus CT200h	1182	- 28.0%	2183	- 18.1%
Volvo C30	157	- 28.6%	323	- 36.7%

Small Luxury Car	February 2013	% Change	Year  To Date	YTD % Change
Acura TSX	1358	- 59.7%	2684	- 52.4%
Audi A4 **	3089	+ 13.6%	5844	+ 8.3%
Audi A5	1173	+ 4.8%	2373	+ 18.8%
BMW 1-Series *	393	- 35.0%	697	- 32.1%
BMW 3-Series	6973	- 13.9%	11,804	- 20.2%
Buick Regal *	1474	- 44.1%	2479	- 44.8%
Cadillac ATS	3382	-----	6163	-----
Cadillac CTS	2566	- 43.9%	5071	- 33.2%
Infiniti G	4529	- 17.7%	7344	- 21.2%
Lexus IS	1532	- 26.9%	2918	- 25.3%
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	7302	+ 39.4%	14,516	+ 23.4%
Volvo S60	2036	+ 5.5%	3990	+ 19.3%

Tweeners/Other	February  2013	% Change	Year  To  Date	YTD % Change
Acura TL	2216	- 31.0%	3713	- 32.4%
Buick LaCrosse *	3667	- 29.9%	7215	- 21.9%
Chrysler 300 *	5023	- 34.5%	10,348	- 18.1%
Hyundai Azera *	795	+ 6015%	1592	+ 5035%
Hyundai Genesis * ^	2517	+ 0.2%	4989	+ 3.9%
Lexus ES	4817	+ 60.7%	10,003	+ 85.0%
Lincoln MKZ	945	- 62.0%	1398	- 66.3%
Nissan Maxima *	4927	- 25.3%	7919	- 25.3%
Toyota Avalon *	5703	+ 63.1%	10,543	+ 57.0%
Volkswagen CC *	1123	- 20.5%	2315	- 18.1%
Volvo XC70 *	355	- 20.8%	689	- 22.7%

Midsize Luxury Cars  &  Large Inexpensive  Luxury Cars	February 2013	% Change	Year  To Date	YTD % Change
Acura RL	11	- 60.7%	24	- 60.7%
Acura RLX	16	-----	16	-----
Audi A6	1370	+ 40.9%	2629	+ 25.1%
Audi A7	588	+ 0.7%	1286	+ 4.8%
BMW 5-Series	4248	+ 5.1%	6833	- 5.9%
Cadillac STS	1	- 97.0%	1	- 98.3%
Cadillac XTS *	2169	-----	4069	-----
Hyundai Equus *	270	- 4.9%	523	- 9.2%
Infiniti M	514	- 55.3%	927	- 49.9%
Jaguar XF	588	+ 22.2%	1099	+ 17.4%
Lexus GS	1108	- 53.8%	2207	- 11.4%
Lincoln MKS *	922	+ 7.6%	1831	+ 14.6%
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class	579	+ 27.3%	1132	+ 9.2%
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	4211	+ 0.1%	9680	+ 16.6%
Mercedes-Benz R-Class	8	- 95.1%	15	- 94.9%
Volvo S80	151	- 35.7%	327	- 26.7%

Source: Manufacturers & ANDC
* indicates a car that is also shown in another GCBC segment breakdown
** Includes Allroad
^ Includes Genesis Coupe

RECOMMENDED READING
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - January 2013
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - February 2012
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - February 2013
U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - February 2013
Large Luxury Car Sales In America - February 2013

January 2013 Luxury Car Sales In America

Volvo Sold 10,489 V70 Wagons (Besides 16,066 More XC70s) In
2004, When The Overall Market Was 1.17 Times The Size It Is Now

The Volvo S60 accounted for 40% of U.S. Volvo sales in January 2013, up from 32% a year ago and 38% a month ago. S60 sales shot up 20% in January, a 393-unit increase from January 2012 levels. The  S40, V50, and V70, meanwhile, are dead. S80 sales dropped 17% to 176. The C30 and C70 were responsible for just 7% of Volvo sales last month. The surging XC60 brought about another 32% of Volvo brand sales.

Click Either Chart For Larger View

You've figured it out: Volvo, at least in America, is an S60/XC60-oriented company. This reliance on specific models isn't unusual among semi-premium brands. The MKX accounted for 44% of Lincoln sales in January; the G and JX were responsible for nearly seven out of ten Infiniti sales last month; the ES and RX just under one-third of all Lexus sales in January. 71% of Porsche sales came about as a result of the Cayenne and 911. 

But the biggest luxury players find decent U.S. volume with a wide range of models. BMW possesses four models - two cars and two SAVs which sold more often than the most popular Volvo. Mercedes-Benz had five, including two cars. Cadillac's SRX, ATS, and CTS outsold the leading Volvo. Acura's MDX and RDX did the same. As did Infiniti's G and JX; Lexus's ES and RX; Audi's A4 and Q5.

All 247 Vehicles Ranked By January 2013 Sales

This isn't Volvo bashing. And while plenty of automakers sell fewer cars these days than in the pre-recession era - Volvo sales plunged 51% from 2004 to 2012; Lexus dropped 19% between 2005 and 2012  - Volvo market share slid from 0.8% in 2004 to 0.5% in 2012. And why? It doesn't help that Volvo sold nine different models in 2004 but only sells seven now, and two of the seven are on their way out. This is about Volvo wishing. Wishing that the brand would be inspired by its history. Wishing that it would update aging products. Sure, an S60 Polestar looks like fun. But before Volvo needs an M3-baiter, it might need... you know, a wagon.

This luxury car sales post has been wholeheartedly changed. It now includes a number of cars GCBC displays with other segments, too, like the Chrysler 300 and Buick Verano. These additions allow readers to see how cars fare against similarly-priced nameplates, not just the cars that have a lofty brand image. The accompanying charts can be clicked for a larger view. Any model can be clicked in order to find historical monthly and yearly sales figures. Or select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats home. Best of all, the tables below are now sortable. Click any column header to rank vehicles by volume, year-over-year change, or re-sort alphabetically to return to the original.

Click Column Headers To Sort

Entry Luxury Car	January 2013	% Change	Year  To Date	YTD % Change
Acura ILX *	1558	-----	1558	-----
Audi A3	231	- 60.5%	231	- 60.5%
Buick Verano *	3660	+ 360%	3660	+ 360%
Lexus CT200h	1001	- 2.3%	1001	- 2.3%
Volvo C30	166	- 42.8%	166	- 42.8%

Small Luxury Car	January 2013	% Change	Year  To Date	YTD % Change
Acura TSX	1326	- 41.5%	1326	- 41.5%
Audi A4	2755	+ 3.0%	2755	+ 3.0%
Audi A5	1200	+ 36.7%	1200	+ 36.7%
BMW 1-Series	304	- 28.0%	304	- 28.0%
BMW 3-Series	4831	- 27.9%	4831	- 27.9%
Cadillac ATS	2781	-----	2781	-----
Cadillac CTS	2505	- 17.0%	2505	- 17.0%
Infiniti G	2815	- 26.2%	2815	- 26.2%
Lexus IS	1386	- 23.4%	1386	- 23.4%
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	7214	+ 19.6%	7214	+ 19.6%
Volvo S60	1954	+ 38.1%	1954	+ 38.1%

Tweeners	January 2013	% Change	Year  To Date	YTD % Change
Acura TL	1497	- 34.4%	1497	- 34.4%
Buick LaCrosse *	3548	- 11.6%	3548	- 11.6%
Chrysler 300 *	5325	+ 7.4%	5325	+ 7.4%
Hyundai Azera *	797	+ 4328%	797	+ 4328%
Hyundai Genesis *	2472	+ 7.9%	2472	+ 7.9%
Lexus ES	5186	+ 115%	5186	+ 115%
Lincoln MKZ	453	- 72.7%	453	- 72.7%
Nissan Maxima *	2992	- 25.2%	2992	- 25.2%
Toyota Avalon *	4840	+ 50.4%	4840	+ 50.4%
Volkswagen CC *	1192	- 15.8%	1192	- 15.8%
Volvo XC70 *	334	- 24.6%	334	- 24.6%

Midsize Luxury Cars  &  Large Inexpensive  Luxury Cars	January 2013	% Change	Year  To Date	YTD % Change
Acura RL	13	- 60.6%	13	- 60.6%
Audi A6	1259	+ 11.4%	1259	+ 11.4%
Audi A7	698	+ 8.6%	698	+ 8.6%
BMW 5-Series	2585	- 19.6%	2585	- 19.6%
Cadillac XTS *	1900	-----	1900	-----
Hyundai Equus *	253	- 13.4%	253	- 13.4%
Infiniti M	413	- 41.0%	413	- 41.0%
Jaguar XF	511	+ 12.3%	511	+ 12.3%
Lexus GS	1099	+ 1082%	1099	+ 1082%
Lincoln MKS	909	+ 22.7%	909	+ 22.7%
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class	553	- 5.0%	553	- 5.0%
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	5469	+ 33.5%	5469	+ 33.5%
Volvo S80	176	- 16.6%	176	- 16.6%

Source: Manufacturers & ANDC
* Indicates a vehicle that is also shown in another GCBC segment breakdown

Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - February 2013
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - December & 2012 Year End
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - January 2012
Top 15 Best-Selling Expensive Cars In America - January 2013
U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - January 2013
Large Luxury Car Sales In America - January 2013

December 2012 And 2012 Year End Small/Entry And Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America

Lexus GS Sales Rose From Abysmally Low
Levels To Something More Respectable In 2012

2012 Small/Entry Luxury
Car Sales Chart
Click Any Chart For Larger View

As you read last week, the BMW 3-Series ended 2012 as the best-selling luxury vehicle in America. Obviously its status as the leader in this post was a foregone conclusion. The 3-Series was a model in transition in 2012, and its gains were not as significant as that which was achieved by America's overall new vehicle market.

Meanwhile, the Audi A6, Audi A7, Hyundai Equus, Lexus CT200h, Lexus ES, Lexus GS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class all posted improvements better than the market's 13.4% boost. Considering the number of cars listed in the accompanying charts and the tables visible after the jump, it appears as though very few luxury cars wowed us with volume growth in 2012. This post featuring higher-end luxury sedans brings with it plenty of red font, too.

December 2012 Small/Entry
Luxury Car Sales Chart

Yet, for the most part, luxury automakers grew sales at an impressive clip in 2012. Some of that can be traced back to relatively low-volume cars like the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. But in reality, SUVs are to be thanked.

While BMW 3-Series sales rose just 5.5% in America in 2012, the X3 jumped 26.6%, and BMW also brought in the X1 for another 8947 sales. Even the C-Class Benz, with its better-than-the-market's 17.9% increase, didn't post as big an increase as the GLK, which was up 20.8%. The Lincoln brand was down 4.1% in 2012, as car sales fell 15.5% (mainly due to slim growth produced by the MKS and MKZ and the defunct status of the Town Car), while sales of the MKT, MKX, and Navigator rose 11.3%.

All 266 Vehicles Ranked By 2012 Year End U.S. Sales

2012 Midsize Luxury
Car Sales Chart

Acura's MDX and RDX posted 17.5% and 94.3% improvements, respectively. Compare that to the TSX's 6.7% drop and the TL's 7.5% improvement. Jaguar-Land Rover? Sales of the cars were down 2.2%; sales of the SUVs were up 14.6%. Even as the A4 Allroad sells much better than the A4 Avant, overall A4 sales rose just 9.4% - Q5 sales jumped 15.1%.

We could go on, but you get the picture. Luxury car sales in 2012 were healthy, but automobile manufacturers know that if market share is to be stolen, a crossover will be required to do the thievery.

December 2012 Midsize
Luxury Car Sales Chart

You can always find the sales figures for any vehicle by selecting a make and/or model at GCBC's Sales Stats home. The tables below are now sortable: click any heading in either table to rearrange vehicles by December 2012 U.S. sales volume or year-over-year percentage change or whatever it is you wish to sort. Click the headings at the far left to sort back to alphabetical order. It's a small change, but one that makes the surveying of automotive sales data that much easier at GoodCarBadCar.net.

Click On Column Headers To Sort

Small/Entry Luxury Car	December 2012	% Change	2012 Year End	YTD % Change
Acura ILX	2485	-----	12,251	-----
Acura TSX	2142	- 39.6%	28,865	- 6.7%
Audi A3	397	- 37.5%	7205	+ 9.8%
Audi A4	3806	+ 2.3%	38,530	+ 9.4%
Audi A5	1572	+ 23.5%	17,270	+ 12.3%
BMW 1-Series	757	- 17.4%	7689	- 12.9%
BMW 3-Series	10,745	+ 26.6%	99,602	+ 5.5%
Cadillac ATS	2979	-----	7008	-----
Cadillac CTS	3372	- 37.8%	46,979	- 14.6%
Infiniti G	5516	- 15.5%	59,844	+ 2.7%
Lexus CT200h	1598	- 29.3%	17,673	+ 22.9%
Lexus HS250h	2	- 99.3%	649	- 77.3%
Lexus IS	2497	- 31.2%	27,708	- 6.6%
Mercedes-Benz B-Class	1	-----	29	+ 52.6%
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	7757	+ 0.2%	81,697	+ 17.9%
Volvo C30	240	- 9.1%	2827	- 18.6%
Volvo S40	-----	- 100%	51	- 98.3%
Volvo S60	2344	+ 20.1%	23,356	+ 9.7%

Midsize Luxury Car	December 2012	% Change	2012 Year End	YTD % Change
Acura RL	18	- 64.0%	379	- 65.4%
Acura TL	2246	- 31.6%	33,572	+ 7.5%
Audi A6	1875	+ 1.1%	18,998	+ 70.8%
Audi A7	926	+ 4.4%	8598	+ 37.1%
BMW 5-Series	8385	+ 71.6%	56,798	+ 10.3%
Cadillac STS	4	- 94.9%	164	- 95.1%
Cadillac DTS	-----	- 100%	465	- 96.0%
Cadillac XTS	2939	-----	15,049	-----
Hyundai Equus	350	+ 7.7%	3972	+ 24.4%
Hyundai Genesis	2397	- 3.0%	33,973	+ 3.0%
Infiniti M	849	- 21.7%	9130	- 15.6%
Jaguar XF	527	- 12.3%	5526	+ 4.2%
Lexus ES	7987	+ 63.6%	56,158	+ 37.4%
Lexus GS	2796	+ 1341%	22,160	+ 492%
Lincoln MKS	1350	- 1.9%	12,524	+ 2.5%
Lincoln MKZ	1630	- 33.1%	28,053	+ 1.9%
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class	703	+ 10.2%	8065	+ 42.4%
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	6984	+ 31.7%	65,171	+ 3.9%
Volvo S80	207	- 2.4%	3277	- 30.8%
Volvo XC70	518	- 13.2%	5513	- 3.6%

Source: Manufacturers & ANDC 
Large-size Equus and XTS and DTS are here on pricing grounds. Genesis sales refer to both sedan and coupe. Buick, Chrysler, Avalon, Maxima etc. are listed here.

Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
Luxury Car Sales In America - January 2013
Small/Entry & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - December & 2011
Small/Entry & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In America - November 2012
Top 30 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America - 2012 Year End
Top 30 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America - December 2012
U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - December & 2012 Year End