Cadillac CT6, Porsche Panamera soar, new BMW 7-series falters as segment shrinks
Sales in the US limousine segment fell by 15.3% to 16,363 in the fourth quarter of 2017, while overall sales in 2017 fell by 8.2% to 59,308. Although the loss in sales was not very large, and the segments still managed to maintain sales above the depths to which it plunged at the height of the recession in 2009, the performance suggests that the [Read more…]
Sales fall in the third quarter despite a bevy of fresh models
After inching up slowly in the first two quarters of the year, sales in the Limousine segment in the US fell by 16% in the third quarter, the worst performance from among all Premium segments, car and SUV. That said, total sales so far this year (42,929) are only 3.6% down on this time last year, which is a better performance than both the Premium Compact and Premium Mid-sized segments. Moreover, with many new models still building sales (BMW 7-series, Cadillac CT6, Genesis G90, Porsche Panamera) and two new models about to go on sales in the third quarter (Audi A8 and Lexus LS) the prospect for the segment looks bright in the next year.
Big shifts in the ranking as double digit growth or double digit decline is the norm among limousines
Sales in the Limousine segment edge up 2% in Q2 of 2017 and grow by 3% in the first half of the year, to 28,587 units. That may seem very stable, but there are big shifts in the ranking as individual models either show double (or triple) digit growth or double digit declines. Actually, there are only three nameplates (four if you include the Hyundai Equus -> Genesis G90 which is basically the same car) that improve, while the other eight decline. And if it weren’t for the Cadillac CT6, the segment would’ve been down 9%. Besides the new Porsche Panamera which arrived in Q1, we’ll also welcome new generations of the Audi A8 and Lexus LS this year, which should help give the segment another boost as the Panamera has done in Q2. But don’t expect them to threaten the dominant segment leader anytime soon.
The Limousine segment is the only premium car segment to grow in volume in the first quarter of 2017, and one of only two car segments overall, together with the Minicar segment, on the opposite side of the scale. A total of 12,959 limousines were sold in Q1 for a gain of 6.5% on the same period last year. However, just two models in this segment show growth, both newcomers, while the other ten are losing volume, of which eight with double digits. In fact, if it weren’t for the new Cadillac CT6 and Genesis G90 the segment would halve lost 18.8%. This year we’ll see a few more models renewed, with the second generation Porsche Panamera already in showrooms since March, to be followed by the next generations of the Lexus LS and Audi A8. These should help the segment maintain its positive figure for the rest of the year, together with the still fresh BMW 7-Series. Whatever happens, it’s unlikely the dominant leader of this segment is going to give up its position anytime soon.
Sales in the Premium Limousine segment rose by 8.3 percent in 2016, a remarkable performance given that all the other Premium non-SUV sectors saw their sales fall by 10 percent or more. This remarkable headline figure relies heavily on growth achieved by the new Cadillac CT6, without which sales in the segment would have fallen by 7.2 percent. Still, this fact should not take away the shine from the sector, which in 2017 will further be bolstered by the arrival of the new Audi A8, Lexus LS and Porsche Panamera.
As a side-note, following feedback from our readers the Tesla Model S, part of the Alternative Power segment, is now presented for comparison in the Premium Large segment, rather than here. [Read more…]
Sales in the Premium Limousine segment rose sharply by 23 percent in the third quarter, making up for sales declines in the first two quarters, to produce a net 3 percent increase in sales over the first three quarters compared to the same period in 2015. What’s more, once the Tesla Model S is included (it technically belongs to the Alternative Power segment), sales growth rises to 12 percent over the course of the three quarters, while total sales rise from 43,285 to 64,360. What’s more, prospects for the segment look bright as both new releases from 2016 keep bringing in more and more sales: BMW 7-series and Cadillac CT6. [Read more…]