Lexus in danger of losing US luxury crown to Mercedes
07-24-10 | 04:33 PM
#1
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Lexus Test Driver
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From: QC/FRANCE
Lexus in danger of losing US luxury crown to Mercedes
After being dominated by Lexus for the past decade, the top spot in the U.S. luxury market is about to be taken over by Mercedes-Benz. While Lexus jumped 19% in deliveries during the first half of this year, Mercedes-Benz increased 25%. Lexus is in real danger of seeing their 2.1% market share dip to 1.98, as BMW, the world’s leading luxury auto, also increases U.S. market share.
“It’s very likely Mercedes-Benz may take over the lead this year,” said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends for researcher Truecar.com in Santa Monica, California. “The cumulative impact of all the recalls hasn’t really shown up yet. It’s more likely to be seen in the second half.”
While there is tremendous opportunity here for the German manufacturers to overtake the U.S. market, BMW doesn’t like to give all the credit to Toyota’s recall woes. Markus Sagemann of BMW, points out the freshness of the BMW lineup, as the company will have replaced 60% of its models by 20
“It’s very likely Mercedes-Benz may take over the lead this year,” said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends for researcher Truecar.com in Santa Monica, California. “The cumulative impact of all the recalls hasn’t really shown up yet. It’s more likely to be seen in the second half.”
While there is tremendous opportunity here for the German manufacturers to overtake the U.S. market, BMW doesn’t like to give all the credit to Toyota’s recall woes. Markus Sagemann of BMW, points out the freshness of the BMW lineup, as the company will have replaced 60% of its models by 20
Bmw
07-24-10 | 08:01 PM
#5
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From: NY/NJ
Really, I hope that Lexus does fall to 2nd, so they'll wake up and really strive again for the "endless pursuit for perfection" because somewhere in the last six years or so they've strayed from that ambition. I think that being "first" gets you fat and lazy, so maybe this will wake Toyota up.
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07-24-10 | 09:38 PM
#8
IMHO, the number 1 sport should hopefully always rotate every couple of years. In sports this is good for competition. So is it good for business and the consumer will benefit with a broader range of good products to choose from.
07-24-10 | 10:23 PM
#9
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Lexus has publically stated many times while they are happy to have the #1 crown they are not chasing it. I don't think Lexus even advertises the point at all.
It would be a win BMW or Benz would want as I think they would leverage it in ads. Look at how Audi advertising "we are growing faster than Lexus, BMW, Benz". Well duh, Audi is increases b/c they were so far behind and Lexus, BMW, Benz still sells 3 times as many vehicles.
Lexus has refreshes but their vehicles are all in MMCs except the RX. The HS is struggling. The SC is in its last year for now. Then we have what 8 or 9 months of negative press in regards to floormats, recalls, recalls, accidents etc?
Quite frankly its a testament to Lexus as they have weathered this "Perfect Storm" pretty well. I would have though sales would plummet but they are still in the hunt.
We shall see.
It would be a win BMW or Benz would want as I think they would leverage it in ads. Look at how Audi advertising "we are growing faster than Lexus, BMW, Benz". Well duh, Audi is increases b/c they were so far behind and Lexus, BMW, Benz still sells 3 times as many vehicles.
Lexus has refreshes but their vehicles are all in MMCs except the RX. The HS is struggling. The SC is in its last year for now. Then we have what 8 or 9 months of negative press in regards to floormats, recalls, recalls, accidents etc?
Quite frankly its a testament to Lexus as they have weathered this "Perfect Storm" pretty well. I would have though sales would plummet but they are still in the hunt.
We shall see.
07-25-10 | 12:25 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: California
A new IS would have been a shot in the arm. But I agree, considering there hasn't been any recent new products AND the whole recall fiasco, they are doing pretty darn well with sales. I predict an upcoming model year in the very near future where most of their cars will be redone and sales will be on fire.
07-25-10 | 07:08 AM
#14
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From: Coral Springs, Fl
