After a record-breaking 2015, luxury sales are expected to slow down, that's what analysts say. It is hard to compete with last year's sales results, and we knew it all along. One of the Analysts say that at the moment, the possibility of 2016 to be able to beat 2015's record, is close to 0.
For the past 10 years, sales for premium brands have grown faster than non-premium carmakers and SUVs have sold faster than cars. Though that trend is expected to continue, the market for new luxury cars and SUVs is beginning to cool after showing signs of tapering toward the end of 2015. August was especially unkind to the luxury brands, with single-digit declines for BMW, Lexus, Nissan, Acura, and Infiniti. Mercedes, which leads the luxury segment in volume, got a boost of 1.3% for the first eight months of 2016 from the introductions of the full-size GLS SUV, mid-size E-class sedan, and SLC roadster. The new Q7 full-size SUV helped lift Audi’s sales 3.5%, while Jaguar’s sales skyrocketed 73% with the arrival of the brand’s first-ever SUV, the F-PACE.
BMW’s sales have fallen 8.3% so far this year, but that’s after getting a lift last year from the new X1 compact crossover and 7-Series executive sedan. Lexus, whose sales are down 5.3% through August, benefitted last year from the introductions of the new NX compact crossover and RX sport utility vehicle.
