• U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model – January 2015
The RX achieved a 17% year-over-year improvement despite sitting alongside a newer, more affordable competitor in its own showroom. Lexus also sold 2812 copies of the NX in January. Together, the RX and NX accounted for four out of every ten Lexus sales last month.
Only two of America’s top 15 best-selling luxury nameplates reported year-over-year declines in January. Both those vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Cadillac SRX, are in the midst of downward trending streaks. E-Class sales have tumbled in six consecutive months. The SRX’s January drop was its seventh in a row.
Mercedes-Benz was, however, America’s leading luxury auto brand in January. Lexus trailed the three-pointed star by 1488 sales.
January 2016 • February 2015 • December 2014 • January 2014
Rank
|
Premium Brand Vehicle
|
January 2015
|
January
2014 |
% Change
|
2015 YTD |
2014 YTD |
% Change |
#1
|
BMW 3-Series & 4-Series *
|
7348 | 6494 | 13.2% | 7348 | 6494 | 13.2% |
#2
|
Lexus RX
|
6569 | 5607 | 17.2% | 6569 | 5607 | 17.2% |
#3
|
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
|
6236 | 5748 | 8.5% | 6236 | 5748 | 8.5% |
#4
|
Acura MDX
|
4381 | 4241 | 3.3% | 4381 | 4241 | 3.3% |
#5
|
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
|
4336 | 5266 | -17.7% | 4336 | 5266 | -17.7% |
#6
|
Lexus ES
|
4080 | 3959 | 3.1% | 4080 | 3959 | 3.1% |
#7
|
Acura RDX
|
3517 | 2730 | 28.8% | 3517 | 2730 | 28.8% |
#8
|
Cadillac SRX
|
3485 | 4446 | -21.6% | 3485 | 4446 | -21.6% |
#9
|
Lexus IS
|
3375 | 3048 | 10.7% | 3375 | 3048 | 10.7% |
#10
|
BMW 5-Series
|
3359 | 3269 | 2.8% | 3359 | 3269 | 2.8% |
#11
|
BMW X5
|
3214 | 2754 | 16.7% | 3214 | 2754 | 16.7% |
#12
|
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
|
3144 | 2824 | 11.3% | 3144 | 2824 | 11.3% |
#13
|
Infiniti Q50
|
2966 | 2949 | 0.6% | 2966 | 2949 | 0.6% |
#14
|
Audi Q5
|
2927 | 2774 | 5.5% | 2927 | 2774 | 5.5% |
#15
|
Acura TLX
|
2892 | — | — | 2892 | — | — |
For the purposes of the above list, premium brands include Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volvo. Brands like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Lotus don’t report specific monthly sales data. Bentley and Maserati only report brand totals. Buick has been excluded with a bunch of other automakers that don’t sell vehicles with base prices higher than $40K.
Rank
|
Vehicles With
Base Prices Above $45K |
January 2015
|
January 2014
|
% Change
|
2015 YTD |
2014 YTD |
% Change |
#1
|
Chevrolet Tahoe
|
6607 | 3514 | 88.0% | 6607 | 3514 | 88.0% |
#2
|
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
|
4336 | 5266 | -17.7% | 4336 | 5266 | -17.7% |
#3
|
Chevrolet Suburban
|
4130 | 1705 | 142% | 4130 | 1705 | 142% |
#4
|
BMW 5-Series
|
3359 | 3269 | 2.8% | 3359 | 3269 | 2.8% |
#5
|
BMW X5
|
3214 | 2754 | 16.7% | 3214 | 2754 | 16.7% |
#6
|
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
|
3144 | 2824 | 11.3% | 3144 | 2824 | 11.3% |
#7
|
Cadillac Escalade
|
2766 | 1110 | 149% | 2766 | 1110 | 149% |
|
Cadillac Escalade ^
|
1664 | 704 | 136% | 1664 | 704 | 136% |
|
Cadillac Escalade ESV ^
|
1100 | 381 | 189% | 1100 | 381 | 189% |
|
Cadillac Escalade EXT ^
|
2 | 25 | -92.0% | 2 | 25 | -92.0% |
#8
|
GMC Yukon
|
2649 | 1287 | 106% | 2649 | 1287 | 106% |
#9
|
Chevrolet Corvette
|
2127 | 2261 | -5.9% | 2127 | 2261 | -5.9% |
#10
|
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
|
2121 | 1541 | 37.6% | 2121 | 1541 | 37.6% |
#11
|
GMC Yukon XL
|
1965 | 865 | 127% | 1965 | 865 | 127% |
#12
|
Lexus GX460
|
1803 | 1443 | 24.9% | 1803 | 1443 | 24.9% |
#13
|
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
|
1752 | 1612 | 8.7% | 1752 | 1612 | 8.7% |
#14
|
Lexus GS
|
1679 | 1300 | 29.2% | 1679 | 1300 | 29.2% |
#15
|
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
|
1566 | 1281 | 22.2% | 1566 | 1281 | 22.2% |
Source: Automakers & ANDC
$45,000 USD (before delivery) is an arbitrary borderline, but if GCBC was to follow this system of designating only expensive vehicles as luxury vehicles, adding approximately $15,000 to the average new car transaction price seemed like a fitting place to begin. Plenty of less expensive vehicles with specific models feature prices above $45,000 – M, RS, and AMG models come to mind, specifically – but in the case of the second list, we know that none of the registrations were of cars priced at $32,750, as would be the case with the new BMW 320i, which costs less than a Honda Accord V6 Touring. The biggest problem with a $45,000 minimum price of entry? Cars like the Cadillac XTS, which starts at $44,660.
* BMW USA, not GoodCarBadCar, has chosen to combine sales of the 3-Series and 4-Series. GCBC combines sales of the Audi A4 and Audi A4 Allroad. None-Allroad sales were down 29% to 1563 in January.
Cadillac’s new CTS – 1698 January sales – starts at $45,100, but the lingering CTS Coupe is a sub-$40K car, and the wagon starts at $42,195.
RECOMMENDED READING
Top 15 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America – January 2016
Top 15 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America – February 2015
Top 15 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America – December 2014
Top 15 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America – 2014 Year End
Top 15 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America – January 2014
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America – January 2015
Top 20 Best-Selling SUVs In America – January 2015
U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings – January 2015
Top 30 Best-Selling Vehicles In America – January 2015