The premium large car segment in Europe is down 3% in the first nine months of 2016, as only two models in the top-10 improve their sales, while six others are down with double digits. As expected, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes control of the segment thanks to its new generation, growing by 13% and passing the Audi A6, up by less than 1% so far this year. At least that’s still better than most others, and the A6 actually adds a full percentage point of share, even though it’s about to be replaced next year. As we’ve seen with the A4 and now the A5 and Q5, Audi is able to keep sales of its outgoing models impressively stable, all the way to their replacement by the next generation. BMW can’t say the same, with its 5-Series down 10% for the year, as its successor has already been revealed. In terms of design, this is one of the most conservative in the market, and BMW proves that point once again with the evolutionairy design of the next-gen 5.
Note: clicking on the model name opens the sales data page for that model; clicking year in the legend turns the display for that year on/off
Volvo loses a big chunk of volume in Q3 as production of the V70/XC70 and the already slow selling S80 has ended and the models are being replaced by the S90/V90 of which only the sedan has been available until now. Once the station wagon starts to hit full capacity, the Swedish brand should be able to defend its fourth place of the segment. Despite its facelift, the Jaguar XF can’t seem to gain traction in Europe, in contrast to the US premium large car segment, where it’s the only model to increase sales this year as all others are down. The Tesla Model S is also taking a hit, cannibalized by the introduction of the Model X SUV, but comfortably in 6th place as the Audi A7 and even more so the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 6-Series are also losing volume. Like the Model S, the Maserati Ghibli is hurt by the arrival of an SUV in its showrooms. The Lexus GS is making an impressive comeback from a low base, distancing itself from the other Asian players Infiniti Q70 and Hyundai Genesis, but still hasn’t returned to its 2014 levels.
Also check out the premium large car segment in the US, where the Lexus ES is still the commanding leader and the A6 is just in 6th place behind the Hyundai Genesis and Cadillac XTS.
| Premium large car segment | 2016 Q3 | 2015 Q3 | Change | |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 74.285 | 65.679 | 13% |
| 2 | Audi A6 / S6 / RS6 / Allroad | 72.552 | 71.991 | 1% |
| 3 | BMW 5-series | 61.430 | 68.313 | -10% |
| 4 | Volvo V70 / XC70 | 29.516 | 34.506 | -14% |
| 5 | Jaguar XF | 12.713 | 13.717 | -7% |
| 6 | Tesla Model S | 8.973 | 10.158 | -12% |
| 7 | Audi A7 / S7 / RS7 | 7.261 | 8.146 | -11% |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz CLS | 6.152 | 10.038 | -39% |
| 9 | BMW 6-series | 4.517 | 5.784 | -22% |
| 10 | Maserati Ghibli | 3.440 | 3.707 | -7% |
| 11 | Volvo S90/V90 | 1.748 | 0 | New |
| 12 | Lexus GS | 1.643 | 1.148 | 43% |
| 13 | Volvo S80 | 839 | 1.774 | -53% |
| 14 | Infiniti Q70 | 377 | 407 | -7% |
| 15 | Hyundai Genesis | 120 | 191 | -37% |
| 16 | Lancia Thema / Chrysler 300C | 25 | 29 | -14% |
| Segment total | 285.591 | 295.588 | -3% |
Click on any model to see its annual sales from 1997-2016 and monthly sales from 2012 to 2016, or use the dropdown menu in the top right of this site.
Car sales statistics are from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.
The new E-Class is the first generation with a decent design in my opinion. Okay it’s not that difficult because it’s a smaller S. Perhaps the car of the year or too expensive?