December 2011/Year End Sales Thread
Lexus Champion
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From: CA
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)’s BMW brand outsold Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz last month to cement its victory as the top luxury brand in the U.S. for 2011.
BMW’s sales rose 15 percent to 26,834 in December compared with a year earlier, the Munich-based automaker said today in a statement. With total 2011 sales at 247,907, BMW outsold Mercedes by 2,715 vehicles.
BMW’s sales rose 15 percent to 26,834 in December compared with a year earlier, the Munich-based automaker said today in a statement. With total 2011 sales at 247,907, BMW outsold Mercedes by 2,715 vehicles.
Lease deals are important in selling compact luxury cars because many customers shop by monthly payment, Drury of Edmunds said. In November, 65 percent of Mercedes’s C-Class buyers were lease customers, as were 60 percent of BMW’s 3-Series customers, according to Edmunds data.
“The main 1 that people think about is what am I paying per month, they kind of forget sometimes that some of these leases require $4,000, $5,000 down,” Drury said.
BMW advertised last month 3-Series monthly lease payments on its website as low as $299 for shoppers with good credit. Mercedes has deals as low as $349 per month for its C-Class, its website said. BMW spent on average of $5,236 in incentives on 3- Series leases while Mercedes spent $2,385 on C-Class leases in November, Edmunds said.
“The main 1 that people think about is what am I paying per month, they kind of forget sometimes that some of these leases require $4,000, $5,000 down,” Drury said.
BMW advertised last month 3-Series monthly lease payments on its website as low as $299 for shoppers with good credit. Mercedes has deals as low as $349 per month for its C-Class, its website said. BMW spent on average of $5,236 in incentives on 3- Series leases while Mercedes spent $2,385 on C-Class leases in November, Edmunds said.
Last edited by ydooby; Jan 5, 2012 at 12:48 PM.
Guest
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Wow those 3/C class lease numbers are 
http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...120109943/1448
http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...120109943/1448
Why BMW and Mercedes look childish
January 5, 2012 - 1:21 pm ET
Memo to BMW and Mercedes: Grow up.
Over the past two days, the two luxury brands delayed and delayed before finally releasing their December and 2011 U.S. sales figures.
The most lenient explanation is that the two companies have woefully inadequate sales-tracking software. That would be grounds for beating down their stock prices.
The more likely explanation is that this was a playground showdown. “Show me yours!” “No, you show me yours first!”
Each company wanted to see the other’s sales numbers first, so that it would know how high its figures would have to be to grab the U.S. luxury-market crown from the other. And from Lexus. The Japanese brand is the usual luxury leader in the United States, but that ended last year when the March 11 earthquake hit Japan.
By the time the numbers came out, I was wondering whether that would be the end of the gamesmanship. Might the No. 2 brand “discover” some extra numbers that put it ahead? As in “Oops, we forgot to count Connecticut.”
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...#ixzz1iccUawWP
January 5, 2012 - 1:21 pm ET
Memo to BMW and Mercedes: Grow up.
Over the past two days, the two luxury brands delayed and delayed before finally releasing their December and 2011 U.S. sales figures.
The most lenient explanation is that the two companies have woefully inadequate sales-tracking software. That would be grounds for beating down their stock prices.
The more likely explanation is that this was a playground showdown. “Show me yours!” “No, you show me yours first!”
Each company wanted to see the other’s sales numbers first, so that it would know how high its figures would have to be to grab the U.S. luxury-market crown from the other. And from Lexus. The Japanese brand is the usual luxury leader in the United States, but that ended last year when the March 11 earthquake hit Japan.
By the time the numbers came out, I was wondering whether that would be the end of the gamesmanship. Might the No. 2 brand “discover” some extra numbers that put it ahead? As in “Oops, we forgot to count Connecticut.”
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...#ixzz1iccUawWP
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2011
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Profit and Quantity are 2 different things. For example, selling 4000 units of Lexus GX may generate more profit than 5000 units of Lexus RX because their profit margins are different. If you ask BMW sales persons: Do you prefer to sell 4000 units of 5 series or 5000 units of 3 series? I am sure they would choose 4000 of 5 series.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,418
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From: NC
10 Worst
Where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Last year was exceedingly kind to big pickups, sprawling family sedans and SUVs, but not every model came out of 2011 with big sales figures. We took the time to dig through the low-selling models of the past 12 months to find out which vehicles produced throughout the year were the biggest duds. Since we aren't interested in how few Lamborghini Aventador models rolled off of dealer lots in the U.S. in 2011, we kept the MSRP under $100,000.
Our criteria immediately nixed vehicles like the Mazda RX-8, Volvo V50, Ram Cargo Van and everything in the Saab stable due to the fact that those models weren't manufactured through all 12 months of 2011. High-end metal like the Mercdes-Benz SL, CL and G classes were also kicked to the curb due to our price ceiling. Which was the worst of them all? We'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Acura ZDX. Hit the jump to check out our list of the worst-selling vehicles of 2011.
Top 10 Worst-Selling Vehicles of 2011
10. Subaru Tribeca
MSRP: $30,595
Units Sold: 2,791
9. Mazda Tribute
MSRP: $20,555
Units Sold: 2,696
8. Mercedes-Benz R-Class
MSRP: $52,690
Units Sold: 2,385
7. Suzuki Equator
MSRP: $17,899
Units Sold: 2,127
6. Cadillac Escalade EXT*
MSRP: $63,060
Units Sold: 2,036
5. Toyota Land Cruiser
MSRP: $68,920
Units Sold: 1,662
4. Acura ZDX
MSRP: $46,020
Units Sold: 1,564
3. Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback*
MSRP: $18,395
Units Sold: 1,548
2. Hyundai Azera
MSRP: $25,495
Units Sold: 1,524
1. Acura RL
MSRP: $47,700
Units Sold: 1,096
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,418
Likes: 10
From: NC
10 Worst
Where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Last year was exceedingly kind to big pickups, sprawling family sedans and SUVs, but not every model came out of 2011 with big sales figures. We took the time to dig through the low-selling models of the past 12 months to find out which vehicles produced throughout the year were the biggest duds. Since we aren't interested in how few Lamborghini Aventador models rolled off of dealer lots in the U.S. in 2011, we kept the MSRP under $100,000.
Our criteria immediately nixed vehicles like the Mazda RX-8, Volvo V50, Ram Cargo Van and everything in the Saab stable due to the fact that those models weren't manufactured through all 12 months of 2011. High-end metal like the Mercdes-Benz SL, CL and G classes were also kicked to the curb due to our price ceiling. Which was the worst of them all? We'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Acura ZDX. Hit the jump to check out our list of the worst-selling vehicles of 2011.
Top 10 Worst-Selling Vehicles of 2011
10. Subaru Tribeca
MSRP: $30,595
Units Sold: 2,791
9. Mazda Tribute
MSRP: $20,555
Units Sold: 2,696
8. Mercedes-Benz R-Class
MSRP: $52,690
Units Sold: 2,385
7. Suzuki Equator
MSRP: $17,899
Units Sold: 2,127
6. Cadillac Escalade EXT*
MSRP: $63,060
Units Sold: 2,036
5. Toyota Land Cruiser
MSRP: $68,920
Units Sold: 1,662
4. Acura ZDX
MSRP: $46,020
Units Sold: 1,564
3. Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback*
MSRP: $18,395
Units Sold: 1,548
2. Hyundai Azera
MSRP: $25,495
Units Sold: 1,524
1. Acura RL
MSRP: $47,700
Units Sold: 1,096
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 0
From: CA
The Land Cruiser really has become way too expensive (not for what it is, but for the price a "Toyota"-badged vehicle can command). Toyota should do well to introduce lower-end models such as the 4.0L V6 version from the other markets.
Last edited by ydooby; Jan 5, 2012 at 06:35 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
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Posts: 20,212
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which make them more money... just look at single spec LC, it is way too much standard equipment.... it is also not available on the lots.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: CA
That's Toyota's problem, positioning the LC too close to the LX. The LC could use a lot less standard equipment and a less powerful powertrain to separate itself from the LX in pricing. It needs to sell in meaningful numbers or there's no point to maintain such a low volume vehicle here.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 260
That's Toyota's problem, positioning the LC too close to the LX. The LC could use a lot less standard equipment and a less powerful powertrain to separate itself from the LX in pricing. It needs to sell in meaningful numbers or there's no point to maintain such a low volume vehicle here.
... and they are selling it just to say that they are, not to break the tradition.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,418
Likes: 10
From: NC
Subaru
Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record vehicle sales for 2011 of 266,989. Subaru has now posted sales records in each of the past 3 years and Subaru is the only manufacturer in the US to have posted 4 successive years of sales growth.
The December sales total also marks Subaru's best-ever sales month, eclipsing the previous best month of August 2009 - the "Cash for Clunkers" month.
The 2011 achievement for Subaru is all the more remarkable considering the company had to contend with significant production delays caused by the tsunami and earthquake in Japan in March 2011. To respond to strong consumer demand for its latest products, and to make up for lost production, Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Industries increased vehicle manufacture in the 2nd half of 2011 and the company is now producing more cars per month than at any time in its history.
Demand for the Subaru Legacy, Outback and Forester models continued to be strong in 2011 with Legacy and Outback setting individual records. The all-new 36 mpg Impreza began retail sales in November, boosting sales still further. With consumer demand so high, the company predicts a 4th record year in 2012 with sales likely to reach the milestone 300,000 mark.
PHP Code:
Carline Dec-11 Dec-10 % Chg Dec-11 Dec-10 % Chg
MTD MTD MTD YTD YTD YTD
Forester 8601 8068 6.61% 76196 85080 -10.44%
Impreza 5464 2927 86.68% 27391 36072 -24.07%
Impreza WRX 1257 1332 -5.63% 13805 8323 65.87%
Legacy 4625 3884 19.08% 42401 38725 9.49%
Outback 13430 10256 30.95% 104405 93148 12.09%
Tribeca 324 227 42.73% 2791 2472 12.90%
TOTAL 33701 26694 26.25% 266989 263820 1.20%
"We are very pleased to welcome the 266,989 customers to the Subaru family," said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. "With production now catching up to demand, our December sales show the potential for the Subaru brand for 2012. We delivered 34,000 cars in to dealers in December, beating our previous highest total by 5,000. Given how quickly our products are moving, we expect to reach another significant sales milestone in 2012."
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 260
I was checking cars.com for Lexus inventory... I doubt they will get 20k in Jan... they seem to be running out of stock for anything other than IS.... I bet they have less than 30 day supply right now.
stupid floods.
December results for Japan came, and Lexus (read CTh) sales down by 50% compared to November - again, probably lack of stock due to the floods... that should recover soon enough but still...
stupid floods.
December results for Japan came, and Lexus (read CTh) sales down by 50% compared to November - again, probably lack of stock due to the floods... that should recover soon enough but still...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 3
From: USA
That's Toyota's problem, positioning the LC too close to the LX. The LC could use a lot less standard equipment and a less powerful powertrain to separate itself from the LX in pricing. It needs to sell in meaningful numbers or there's no point to maintain such a low volume vehicle here.
These copycat Toyota models are not good for Lexus either because they diminish the prestige you are buying when the guy next door can claim his Toyota is the same car for $10k less. The LC should be nixed. The ES and RX should be AWD only. That would create enough differentiation I think.
I get really annoyed when people say that Lexus are rebadged Toyota's. I keep telling them that this is nonsense and that Toyota doesn't sell rwd V8 sedans. However this kind of strategy by Toyota just furthers that perception.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 3
From: USA
BTW Did anyone see that Lexus is expecting a 20% sales increase in 2012? That would still leave them third if Mercedes doesn't drop. BMW is unlikely to drop since the F30 launch will likely give BMW a much needed boost since the E90 is an ancient and second rate product at this point.
I also think it is great if Lexus spends a couple of years as number 2 or 3. I think this will encourage innovation and improvement by everyone - BMW will have to try harder to stay on top, Lexus will have to try harder to come back. It is bad if the same team always has the crown.
I also think it is great if Lexus spends a couple of years as number 2 or 3. I think this will encourage innovation and improvement by everyone - BMW will have to try harder to stay on top, Lexus will have to try harder to come back. It is bad if the same team always has the crown.
Last edited by *Batman*; Jan 6, 2012 at 02:57 PM.
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I think given the low volumes, Toyota should just kill the LC in the US market and focus on the LX and the Sequoia.
These copycat Toyota models are not good for Lexus either because they diminish the prestige you are buying when the guy next door can claim his Toyota is the same car for $10k less. The LC should be nixed. The ES and RX should be AWD only. That would create enough differentiation I think.
I get really annoyed when people say that Lexus are rebadged Toyota's. I keep telling them that this is nonsense and that Toyota doesn't sell rwd V8 sedans. However this kind of strategy by Toyota just furthers that perception.
These copycat Toyota models are not good for Lexus either because they diminish the prestige you are buying when the guy next door can claim his Toyota is the same car for $10k less. The LC should be nixed. The ES and RX should be AWD only. That would create enough differentiation I think.
I get really annoyed when people say that Lexus are rebadged Toyota's. I keep telling them that this is nonsense and that Toyota doesn't sell rwd V8 sedans. However this kind of strategy by Toyota just furthers that perception.
BTW Did anyone see that Lexus is expecting a 20% sales increase in 2012? That would still leave them third if Mercedes doesn't drop. BMW is unlikely to drop since the F30 launch will likely give BMW a much needed boost since the E90 is an ancient and second rate product at this point.
I also think it is great if Lexus spends a couple of years as number 2 or 3. I think this will encourage innovation and improvement by everyone - BMW will have to try harder to stay on top, Lexus will have to try harder to come back. It is bad if the same team always has the crown.
I also think it is great if Lexus spends a couple of years as number 2 or 3. I think this will encourage innovation and improvement by everyone - BMW will have to try harder to stay on top, Lexus will have to try harder to come back. It is bad if the same team always has the crown.
On the other hand BMW /Benz/Audi sell twice as much worldwide but they do it selling mostly diesels and 4 cylinders.
There is a chance Lexus might not be #1 here for sometime which is fine. They aim to grow worldwide as well as selling solid here