GS69

Lexus Reloads for a Shot @ Luxury Title

Lexus, quickly narrowing the U.S. sales gap with BMW and Mercedes-Benz, will have its busiest product year since the brand's inception, with as many as nine new or tweaked models, including a key redesign, 3 midcycle refreshes, new turbocharged options and a special edition in 2015.

The blitz comes as Lexus targets a 9 percent sales jump to a record 340,000 vehicles and a shot at regaining the U.S. luxury crown it relinquished 4 years ago. The rollout is crucial to keeping the brand fresh and winning coveted younger customers, said Jeff Bracken, general manager for Toyota Motor Corp.'s luxury marque.

Most Lexus executives, publicly at least, disavow any intention of playing the numbers game against the German giants. That has been a no-no since the 2010 Toyota recall crisis, when President Akio Toyoda blamed the company's quality problems partly on unbridled growth.

But Bracken, a little brasher and bolder, concedes that being No. 1 is still part of his mission in the U.S., Lexus' biggest market, where it reigned as the top-selling luxury brand for 11 years before the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan broadsided production and sales.

"If I did not want to resecure that luxury leadership position, then my boss probably put the wrong person in this job," Bracken said at last month's Detroit auto show.

"It's important. No question about it," he said.

Momentum on its side

Bracken says Lexus sales should climb to a record 340,000 vehicles this calendar year. That would surpass the peak of 329,177 that Lexus hit in 2007, before the economic crisis and Japanese disasters knocked it off stride.

Last year, Lexus finished behind No. 1 BMW and No. 2 Mercedes-Benz, but the Japanese brand has momentum on its side. Its sales of 311,389 units represented a 14 percent advance, outpacing the overall luxury market's 6 percent gain. BMW logged a slower 10 percent increase to 339,738 vehicles in 2014, while Mercedes-Benz advanced 6 percent to 330,391 vehicles. For December alone, Lexus leapfrogged Mercedes-Benz to take the No. 2 position behind BMW. (Surging Audi and struggling Cadillac both sold fewer than 200,000 vehicles.)

For its next big leap, Lexus will do as the Germans do: Expand the lineup with more iterations of existing nameplates, including hybrids, sporty trims and high-performance variants.

This year, as many as nine updates will debut, including the GS F performance edition of the GS sedan, unveiled at the Detroit auto show. That will be followed by a redesign of the brand's No. 1 nameplate, the RX crossover, and midcycle changes for the GS and ES sedans and LX SUV.

Lexus also will deploy its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine to other nameplates beyond the NX compact crossover, which last year was the first Lexus to get a turbo powerplant.

"That is the greatest introduction of fresh product in our 26-year history. That's a lot," Bracken said. "We were able to make up tremendous ground. ... The risk is how we keep ourselves fresh and competitive in such a new-product-oriented industry in the luxury segment."

The benefits of F

The F Sport line and the F-series high-performance models are a critical component of Lexus' growth plan. The benefits are twofold: F Sport and F editions are higher-priced, and they help attract younger buyers. And that addresses two critical weaknesses for the Lexus brand: an older customer base and weak average transaction prices relative to its competitors.

Bracken said F Sport owners are five to 12 years younger than non-F Sport counterparts. "We're hoping this strategy brings us younger buyers," he said. "That's the endgame."

Indeed, half of all IS sales are F Sports. And last year, 1 in 4 Lexus buyers chose the F Sport package on models where it was available, Bracken said.

Lexus would need a lot more of those sales to move the age needle significantly. The average age of a Lexus buyer is still 60, Bracken notes. And analysts caution that Lexus' F line is going up against some well-established competition in Mercedes-Benz's AMG and BMW's M line.

"The F franchise is still relatively new," said Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "It will take time for Lexus to build a following."

But that's OK with Bracken's boss, Mark Templin, executive vice president of Lexus International -- especially if the expansion comes in high-margin vehicles.

Templin reiterated that the CT hatchback, which starts at about $33,000 with shipping, is as downmarket as the Lexus brand will go. It doesn't need to parry German offerings such as the Mercedes GLA or BMW 1 series with sub-$30,000 alternatives, he said, because it has a feeder brand in Toyota that its German rivals lack.

Moreover, Lexus is compelled to hold the line partly because its average transaction price still trails its competitors'.

In December, Lexus' average transaction price rose 2.4 percent from a year earlier to $47,719, according to Kelley Blue Book. BMW's average stood nearly unchanged at $51,916, while Mercedes-Benz boasted a 5.1 percent increase to $58,477.

"We have no plans to go downmarket," Templin said. "Nice, slow, methodical growth -- that's way better for us. Sales, share and profit should be the result of doing the right things, not the goal."

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

'transaction prices' don't mean a whole lot in the luxury space where the majority of vehicles are rented, i mean leased.

Ayberk

When are they going to announce the January sales results? Do you guys have holidays in US or something?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Ayberk - companies don't always (in fact hardly ever) announce on the 1st of the month, and this year the 1st fell on a weekend. Plus, Sunday was the Superbowl (biggest sporting event in the U.S. ) so no one was thinking about tabluating car sales figures, lol. Probably today or tomorrow figures will come out.

TangoRed

FCA US reported its 58th consecutive month of year-over-year U.S. sales growth with total deliveries of 145,007 light vehicles, a 14% ahead of January 2014. It was the company’s best January sales since 2007.

Jeep reported the largest gain, up 22.9%, but all Chrysler Group brands beat their numbers from last year.

“We kicked off 2015 with a 14 percent increase in sales and extended our year-over-year sales streak to 58-consecutive months,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “In spite of some tough 2015 comparisons, we remain confident in our ability to post year-over-year sales increases on the back of strong retail demand for our products.”

Ten models set sales records last month: the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Compass each recorded their best ever January sales as did the Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart, Dodge Challenger, Ram ProMaster, Ram Cargo Van and Fiat 500L.

FCA US finished the month with a 101-day supply of inventory (563,575 units). U.S. industry sales figures for January are internally projected at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17.0 million units .

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php...onth-of-growth

GS69

American Honda Kicks Off 2015 with Record January Sales

Feb 3, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif.

American Honda and the Honda Division set new January records as Fit, CR-V and Pilot top prior monthly records with double digit percentage gains over January 2014
Both the Honda and Acura Brands set new light truck sales records for January
Acura posts best January since 2007 as MDX and RDX set new monthly records

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported a new January record on Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 102,184 units, an increase of 11.5 percent versus January 2014. Overall AHM light trucks led sales gains for both brands and set a January record, increasing 25.2 percent on sales of 52,169 vehicles. The Honda brand set a January record, up 11.6 percent for the month while recording sales of 90,202 vehicles. The Acura brand posted sales of 11,982 units in January, increasing 10.7 percent over the same period last year.

Honda
2015 began on a strong note for the Honda Division with record monthly sales for the brand, its light trucks and 3 key models, CR-V, Fit and Pilot.

CR-V continued to build on its leadership as 2014's undisputed best-selling SUV in America, as the Honda's top-selling model in January with record monthly sales of 23,211 units, up 27.3 percent.
Fit continued to bring record numbers of new buyers to the Honda brand, setting a new January record, up an amazing 85.8 percent with 5,802 vehicles sold in January.
Pilot nearly doubled January 2014 sales while setting a new monthly record with 12,315 sold, up 97.9 percent.
Accord sales of 21,011 vehicles grew by 2.0 percent in January
Led by record CR-V and Pilot sales, Honda Division light truck sales surged to a new record of 44,271 units, up 27.7 percent.

"The new year is off to a strong start with three core models selling at record pace, and this is only the beginning," said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager. "With an all-new HR-V crossover coming in a few months, an all-new Pilot debuting at the Chicago Auto Show next week and more big news on the horizon, this is going to be an epic year for Honda."

Acura
The Acura Division posted its best January sales result since 2007 on the strength of record sales of the MDX and RDX and another strong showing from the all-new TLX performance luxury sedan.

MDX set its 2nd consecutive January sales record on sales of 4,381 vehicles, up 3.3 percent. It was the brand's best-selling vehicle in January.
RDX set its third consecutive January sales record, up 28.8 percent with sales of 3,517 vehicles for the month.
The all-new TLX sold 2,892 vehicles in its 1st January, easily besting the combined sales of its 2 predecessors in January 2014 by 27.9 percent. (Acura TL and TSX combined to sell 2,261 vehicles in January 2014.)

"With a major mid-cycle refresh for the ILX gateway model on the way, it's great to begin the year with such strong sales," said Mike Accavitti, Acura division senior vice president and general manager. "MDX and RDX are packing a stronger 1-2 punch than ever to create new energy and momentum for the Acura brand that we look forward to carrying through 2015."

GS69

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/n...b/gmsales.html

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers in the United States delivered 202,786 vehicles last month for the company’s best January sales in seven years. Total sales were up 18 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 14 percent and fleet deliveries were up 32 percent.

“Consumers feel very good because more people are working, the U.S. economy is expanding and fuel prices are low,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Consumer and commercial demand for trucks and crossovers is really driving our business, and our move into the small crossover segment with the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, and mid-size pickups with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, was well-timed.”

Year-over-year pickup deliveries increased 42 percent, following last month’s 43 percent increase. Large pickup sales were up 22 percent and more than 8,000 all-new mid-size trucks were delivered. GM is the only U.S.-based automaker competing in this segment.

Sales of crossovers and SUVs were up 36 percent year over year, with the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse, the GMC Terrain and the Buick Encore all posting their highest January sales ever. Chevrolet will unveil a refreshed Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show on February 12.

Highlights (vs. 2014 except as noted)
Chevrolet:

Chevrolet had its best January total and retail sales since 2008.
Silverado deliveries increased 25 percent and in just five months, the all-new Colorado has overtaken the Nissan Frontier to become No. 2 in retail market share in the mid-size pickup segment.
Tahoe sales were up 88 percent, Suburban sales more than doubled and the Traverse was up 89 percent.
The Chevrolet Cruze, which had its best annual sales ever in 2014, began 2015 with its best January sales ever, as did the Spark.

GMC:

GMC had its best retail sales since 2004.
Sierra sales were up 14 percent.
Every GMC crossover and SUV saw higher sales: Yukon and Yukon XL sales more than doubled; Terrain was up 25 percent and Acadia was up 8 percent.
The Canyon had its best January in 10 years following the launch of the all-new model late last year.

Buick:

Encore deliveries rose 46 percent for its best January ever.

Cadillac:

Deliveries of the XTS were up 14 percent.
Demand for the new Escalade continues to exceed expectations, with deliveries up 149 percent.

Average Transaction Prices (ATPs):

ATPs were $34,800, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates through Jan. 25, up $2,400 per unit compared to a year ago.

Incentives:

Month over month, GM reduced incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs, according to PIN estimates. The company has had the lowest incentives of all domestic automakers on an ATP basis in 11 of the last 13 months.
Incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs was 10.5 percent in January, down 0.3 points month over month, while industry average spending was 9.6 percent of ATPs, down 0.7 points.

Fleet and Commercial:

Commercial deliveries were up 17 percent, for the 15th consecutive monthly year-over-year increase. Truck, SUV and crossover deliveries all were higher.
Sales to government customers were up 27 percent driven by crossover and SUV deliveries, including the new Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle.

Industry Sales:

GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in January was 16.6 million.

TangoRed

*Ford Motor Company U.S. sales for January increase 15 percent, for a total of 178,351 vehicles sold; retail sales performance for January is best since 2004
*F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for the 38th straight year, posts best January sales performance since 2004; Transit Connect reports another record month, driving best January van sales since 2001
*Escape delivers its best-ever January sales performance; Explorer sales best since 2005
*Mustang has best January performance since 2007
*Lincoln has best January sales results in five years

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 3, 2015 – Ford Motor Company posted a 15 percent sales increase in the U.S. in January, with sales of 178,351 vehicles. Retail sales of 128,666 vehicles marked a 13 percent increase, providing the best retail January results since 2004.

Retail passenger car sales were up 6 percent, utilities saw a 10 percent increase, and trucks gained 23 percent.

“Customer demand is strong for our newest vehicles, driving retail sales gains across our lineup in January,” said Erich Merkle, U.S. sales analyst. “Momentum is especially strong for our F-Series pickup, with the all-new F-150 the hottest product on our dealer lots in January.”

F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for the 38th straight year, posted sales gains of 17 percent in January, with 54,370 trucks sold last month. This was F-Series’ best January sales volume since 2004 – an all-time annual record sales year for F-Series.

Part of F-Series’ strength is the all-new F-150. It is the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, with best-in-class payload, towing and gasoline fuel economy and recently named 2015 North American Truck of the Year. It is averaging just 12 days on dealer lots. High-end Platinum and King Ranch F-150 are turning even faster, averaging just 9 and 10 days on dealer lots, respectively.

Transit Connect sales also increased 72 percent last month, for record January sales with 3,689 vehicles. Combined, Ford sales of Transit, E-Series, and Transit Connect totaled 13,377 vans, marking Ford’s best January sales results for vans since 2001.

Escape sales of 20,054 vehicles increased 3 percent last month versus a year ago, for the utility’s best-ever January. Explorer sales of 14,995 vehicles were up 28 percent, marking its best January sales since 2005.

Mustang sales more than doubled last month with sales of 8,694 vehicles. This represents a 124 percent increase versus last year and marks Mustang’s best January sales since 2007.

Lincoln sales increased 11 percent last month versus January 2014, with 6,619 vehicles sold, providing Lincoln with its best January results in five years. MKC continues to build Lincoln momentum, along with Navigator, which realized a 144 percent sales increase for the month.

https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...2015sales.html

TangoRed

Nissan press releases are always my favorite. No colorful language, no happiness despite great sales.

Feb. 3, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan Group today announced total U.S. sales for January 2015 of 104,107 units, up 15.1 percent year-over-year and a January record.

Nissan highlights:

*Nissan Division also set a January record with 94,449 sales, an increase of 15.9 percent.
*Sales of the Altima midsize sedan set a January record at 26,408, up 17.3 percent.
*Rogue sales set a January record at 15,649, an increase of 13.1 percent.
*January sales of the Versa subcompact were 10,546, up 23.7 percent.
*Sentra sales increased 57.7 percent in January to 14,395.

With the all-new 2015 Murano now available in dealer showrooms, sales of the model increased 72.4 percent in January.
Nissan plans to continue growing its U.S. sales with new models in 2015, including the all-new Titan pickup recently revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and an all-new Maxima, which was previewed in Nissan’s “With Dad” television ad that aired during the broadcast of Super Bowl XLIX.

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/u...2015-u-s-sales

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

jeep sales huge considering it's a niche brand.

GS69

http://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/news...4-3--january-2

Audi reported that its January 2015 sales increased 14.3% to 11,541 vehicles, a total that stands as the 49th consecutive month of record U.S. sales for the premium brand.

On the heels of its fifth consecutive year of record sales, Audi continued its retail momentum in January 2015, with the best-ever January results in Audi U.S. history. The previous January record was set in 2014 with sales of 10,101 vehicles.

Audi Certified pre-owned vehicle sales also reached record levels during the most recent month. January 2015 marks the 18th consecutive month of record Audi CPO sales, through an 18% gain for the month on 3,730 CPO vehicles sold.

“We are extremely pleased to start the year strong with records in both new and CPO sales,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “The family of Audi owners is steadily expanding, and the success of our CPO Sales Event is a testament to the growing size of our customer base.”

January represented strong demand for Audi luxury SUVs, with a 15.8% increase in sales encompassing the Audi Q3, Q5 and Q7 models.

Consumer demand for the A3 model line (including the A3 sedan, the A3 Cabriolet and the S3 performance sedan) bolstered January results with 2,383 vehicles sold, making it the second-best selling model for Audi in the U.S.

Highlights:

Sales mix for Audi S performance variants finished the month at 14.7% for the S3 sedan; 17.9% for the S4 sedan; 38.8% for the S5/RS 5; 2.6% for the S6; 43.2% for the S7/RS 7; 12.1% for the S8; 66.7% for the TTS Coupe and TTS Roadster, and 7.2% for the SQ5 crossover.
Audi holds the longest running monthly record sales streak in the premium car market according to a competitive sales report from MotorIntelligence.com.

GS69

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases...2015+sales.htm

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported January 2015 sales of 169,194, an increase of 15.6 percent from January 2014 on a volume basis. With one additional selling day in January 2015, sales were up 11.2 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis.

Toyota division posted January 2015 sales of 146,063 units, up 13.5 percent.

"The year is off to a strong start as the sales momentum we saw in 2014 continued into January," said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager. “Highlander, RAV4 and Corolla all set January records.

"Lexus reported January 2015 sales of 23,131 units, a 31.2 percent increase.

“January was a great way for our dealers to start the year, with their third straight record month and an industry leading 31 percent sales increase,” said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “We saw good growth throughout our lineup and received an added boost from the all-new NX luxury compact utility vehicles and RC coupes.”

January 2015 Highlights:

Lexus sets best-ever, any month sales record
Combined TMS light truck sales set January record
RAV4 and Highlander set January records
4Runner up 75.5 percent
Tacoma up nearly 16 percent; posts sales of 11,409 units
Corolla posts best-ever January
Camry sales of 26,763 units, up nearly 15 percent
Sienna up 16 percent
Lexus RX up more than 17 percent

spwolf

Lexus 31% up... crazy. And GS, ES, LX, RX coming, plus new 2.0t and 3.5l engines later on this year. Sky is the limit.

ydooby

The new NX and the RC added decent volume to Lexus but not as much as I had hoped for. Still a very good month for Lexus. And not one but two LFAs sold? I thought it's 2015 already.

GS69