biker

It didn't - but at this point you can blame just about anything on the war.

spwolf

yep, it is rather than Avalon sales bit into ES sales...

DrUnBiased

Needless to say, I'm a bit dissapointed about the IS's sales numbers. I was expecting it to atleast match Acura TL sales, let alone the aging G35 sales. Acura year-to-date sales are up 7.2%. Thats more important than just November sales. Lexus YTD sales are up 5.2% and Infiniti is up 4.3%.

spwolf

lol, they sold every one they made... And they wont make more than this anyway...

LexFather

Before you show disapointment, let's look at some things here.
As spywolf stated, every one made for production was sold. They are still RAMPING up production, this is a new car. G35 and TL sales didn't peak until later into the model cycle.

Even though "WE" (as in auto internet junkies) know about the car, the general public is just now hearing about it. As word spreads and as advertising continues, sales will increase.

There are those waiting to buy Mark Levinson equipped cars.

Finally, LEXUS is happy, the sales goal for the IS is 40,000 units a year. Clearly, they will meet and exceed this.

So sorry your dissapointed.
What is dissapointing is after only 1 year on the market and even now with 10k discounts, RL sales are down 34%. Very disheartning for the brand.

All 3 brands sales are up, which is good news in a soft market. Thing is, combined and with cheaper lineups, they barely beat total Lexus sales.

Lexus sales are also up in Europe, a very encouraging sign. Of course, Acura and Infiniti are non-exisitent in Europe.

I would say with high fuel prices and with SUV sales taking a hit, all 3 companies have to be happy with results. This was just a tough year.

And is it just me or is Acura sales right behind Mercedes-Benz sales, YTD?

spwolf

p.s. I dont think Lexus will raise sales more than this... 4.5k per month is probably initial ramp-up that will be lowered slightly later on when it starts selling in Europe. Lexus knows their market well.

doug_999

Mike, I think this is because of Inventory issues. They blew out every RL in stock with that $599/month lease and had no cars as of mid October in the dealers I went to. I'm sure the dealers were like "give us more - now!" - unfortunately with the way the supply chain works on cars, I think it will be a couple of months before they get them in.

I'll double check this theory with my Acura sales guy.

On a BMW note, I think people like the redesigned 7-series!

LexFather

January
5=3,278
E=2,725
RL=1,371
A6=1,209
GS=502
M=90
[B]February[B]

5=3,794
E=2,596
GS=1,947
RL=1,412
A6=1,264
M=225

March
5=3,947
E=3,608
GS=3,209
M=2,253
A^=1,681
RL=1,376

April
5=4,571
E=3,731
STS=3,541
GS=3,198
M=2,288
RL=1,304

May
5=3,611
E=3,569
GS=3,141
M=2,170
RL=1,404
A6=1,313

June
E = 4,205
5 = 4,183
STS = 3,719
GS = 3,317
M = 2,480
A6 = 1,581
RL = 1,565

July
E = 5,506
5 = 4,381
STS = 4,041
GS = 3,374
M = 2,755
RL = 1,741
A6 = 1,468

August
E= 5,011
5= 4,359
GS=3,335
M35/45=2,623
RL=1,721
A6=1,509

September
E = 4,544
5 = 4,137
GS = 2,739
M = 2,351
STS = 2,212
A6 = 1,640
RL = 1,552
S80 = 665
9-5 = 610
S-type = 567

October
5 = 4,880
E = 4,670
GS = 2,645
M = 2,231
STS = 1,819
RL = 1,550
A6 = 1,382

November
5 5185
E 3884
GS 2619
M 1982
STS 1931
A6 1625
RL 1298
LS 690
S80 644
S-type 566
9-5 215

LexFather

Vacation rules

encore888

Thx for the chart, ISICK!

Clearly, the market is
#1 BMW 5-series
#2 Mercedes E-class
#3 Lexus GS

Where #1 and #2 switched places a few times. the 5-series continues to grow peak to peak, while the Mercedes reached its peak in July. Interestingly, the GS also peaked in July. GS sales are a bit lower these past three months since, a proportionate third at times.


Ironically, the RL appears to be quite stable...1,300.mo about. More variance for all other models, even the close-selling A6.

GFerg

LMAO!!! Damn homie. Breaking out charts at what not. Detailed with color. HAHAHA.

Good stuff Thanks!!

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

This might be a bit easier to see the trends...

Gojirra99

You got the color of the GS & RL reversed on the chart

TRDFantasy

Check the YTD for the ES. Compared with 2004, the ES for 2005 will only be off a few percentage points. That's pretty good considering the model is at the end of it's life cycle.

3 Series has tons of variants, that even ES/IS combined cannot match. ES right now has only one variant, and it has pretty good sales for one variant.

Once an IS Coupe is introduced, and a high powered V8 option, IS sales should begin eating away at 3 Series sales.

Plus, here in Toronto, Canada, IS350 is in VERY limited supply, and at the dealer near my house, they actually have a several month waiting list for the IS350.

Lexus only has capacity to maybe build 50,000 or so IS vehicles per year right now. They could add additionaly capacity if needed, but that will take time. Right now, every single IS is being sold, not to mention waiting lists for certain variants, especially ML-equipped cars.

3 Series is a very established leader in it's class, like the Ford F Series is with regards to trucks. It takes a very strong effort, and lots of time to actually topple or affect the sales of an established leader in a certain class.

encore888

^^^
Yeah, maybe there is room to build at Lexus Canada? More than the RX? Maybe not...

The 3-Series at 10,000 units is the lifeblood of BMW. The ES/IS at 8,000+ is very good too. And with the RX, plus its other sedans and LUVs, Lexus is sitting pretty at #1.

It's going to be interesting to see how Lexus refocuses on sedans/non-SUVs and improves that end. With the redesigned GS, it is a good first step...I wonder whether the GS 350 will change the trend lines much. More importantly, the IS is a strong contender. The New ES needs to do more of what its predecessor did--the formula there works.