Lexus is a close second despite the massive Toyota recall fiasco (By the way, you can show your support to Toyota by signing the “I Support Toyota” petition). MB had a fabulous month which enabled them to take the lead, BMW remains at 3rd but still well within the striking distance. Seems like the Toyota recall is hurting Lexus but definitely not lethal, people are still buying Lexus products for their reliability, luxury and the legendary customer service.
Few interesting facts worth to point out…
1. Another bad month for the HS, a hybrid ES looks better than ever now?
2. The 7-series really took a charge in February, maybe the LS and S-class are showing their ages?
3. The Acura TL sales remain pathetic month after month, this might be the most epic fail in Honda’s history.
4. Audi’s sales number is steady but still isn’t where they want it to be with the big boys.
Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
Lexus remained strong among the luxury brands even under the massive Toyota recall that’s currently going on and MB is a very close second. As for BMW… after the “supposed-to-take-over-as-number-one” year in 2009, the question now is where is it headed with all the niche products like the X6M, X5M and the 5-series GT.
Few interesting facts worth to point out…
1. The HS sales still isn’t as well as Lexus had predicted, maybe some “spice” is missing for this car?
2. The LS sales went up compare to last year… facelift and the addition of the sports model are working?
3. BMW sold 5,418 3-series in january… this thing usually goes for 8,000 – 9,000 units per month just not that long ago. BMW losing its magic or people are getting smarter?
4. Acura sold 1,986 TLs, considering that the previous generation was challenging the 3-series for the top entry luxury sedan spot this is just plain PATHETIC. Still think the beak and ugliness isn’t hurting Acura?
Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
Let’s take a look at the 4 major luxury automakers’ flagship lineups:
Audi:
A8
A8L (long wheel-base)
S8 (performance)
BMW:
730d/Ld (not available in US)
740d (not available in US)
740i/Li (not available in US)
750i/Li
750i/Li xDrive (AWD)
760i/Li (V12)
ActiveHybrid7/ActiveHybrid7L (hybrid)
Lexus:
LS460/LS460L
LS460/LS460L AWD
LS460 Sport (sports tuned suspension)
LS600hL (hybrid)
From the model listing it seems like BMW and MB offer more engine choices than Lexus, however when we take a closer look we can see that Lexus offers more variety than the other two brands. The LS460 has both standard and long wheel-base, with AWD options are available for both and the sports-tuned suspension available for the standard wheel-base version. Also there is a range toping hybrid that offers V8 gas mileage and V12-like performance to compete with the other V12 flagships in the segment.
One can really make a case for either three brands of having the most complete flagship lineup in the segment (Audi is a non-factor in this discussion…) but let’s not forget that Lexus is only 20 years old so I think it’s incredible for them just to be able to be included in this discussion with the more established brands.
One month to go and BMW is down by more than 11,000 units… The race has turned into let’s see who is going to capture the second spot, can MB pull out a miracle and steal it away from BMW?
Few interesting facts worth to point out…
1. Looks like Lexus will have no trouble to sell 200,000 units again this year in a down market despite all the naysayers have been predicted earlier this year.
2. TL is fading fast, once sold for 7,000 units a month now can barely pass 2,000. For those of you still think that Acura doesn’t have a problem? Wake up…
3. What’s up with Infiniti? They in deeper doo-doo than Acura and if you are doing worse than Acura that means you really suck a**.
4. RX is going strong as usual and outsold the entire Infiniti and Audi brand in the month of November.
5. Audi A4’s sales are lackluster, I am sure this is not what they had in mind with the new and improved (or the lack of in terms of interior) A4. Still think Audi doesn’t have a problem with their pricing strategy here in the US? Stop drinking the kool-aids…
Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
BMW is fading fast, by leading over 8,000 units with two more months go Lexus appears to have the 2009 luxury crown in the bag… MB had a solid month but is probably a little too late to challenge BMW for the number two spot.
Few interesting facts worth to point out…
1. Lexus again sold more than 8,000 RX (8,316 to be exact), which makes it best selling luxury vehicle second month in a roll. The RX also single handily outsold the entire Audi, Infiniti line and the BMW 3-series.
2. Acura only send 2,512 TLs out the lots in the month of October, which is over 40% drop from last year… Still thinking the new TL isn’t a flop? Think again…
Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
Following are the performance specs released by the manuactures for both cars:
Lexus LFA/MB SLS AMG
Power Rating:552 HP / 563 HP Torque Rating:354 lb-ft / 430 lb-ft Curb Weight:3,263 lbs / 3,571 lbs Engine Type:4.8L V10 / 6.3L V8 Engine Placement:Front-mid / Front-mid Drive Type:RWD / RWD 0 – 60 Acceleration:3.6 sec / 3.7 sec Top Speed:202 mph / 197 mph Price:~ $375,000 US / ~250,000 US
As you can see, these two cars match up pretty well on all aspects, including mechanical setup, performance and weight (The SLS is heavier by ~300 lbs). The only difference seems to be AMG prefers the high displacement, high torque V8 but Lexus went with the small displacement, high revving (redline at 9000 rpm) V10.
If that’s not enough to convince you that this is the match-up made in heaven, how about this: The MB SLS AMG is the first car ever developed solely from the ground up by MB’s performance department – AMG. The Lexus LF-A on the other hand is the first supercar from Toyota and many would argue that it is the first true exotic from any Japanese automakers. With that in mind when both cars go on sale in 2010 (or 2011…) we can expect to read all about their head-to-head comparison from all the major automotive publications. So…
It puzzles me everytime when people say Passat is the “driver’s car” of family sedans and other aren’t… I mean, all the sedans are products of compromise, some are compromised more than others, that’s it, to say that the Passat is a “drive’s car” while others aren’t is just ridiculous in my humble opinion.
I understand that most of us can only afford one car so we want the best balance of comfort, practicality and performance (I am in the same boat). Then my question is, if that’s the case, why would I want to get a VW? There are true RWD sports sedans out there that costs less than a comparable VW and performs better, for example:
VW CC VR6 Sport FWD: $39,015
VW CC VR6 4Motion AWD: $40,115
(I picked VR6 because that’s the only model that comes with the V6, VW doesn’t offer V6 for Passat anymore)
Then there are those who just want a comfortable and yet reliable A-to-B commuter. Based on the simple comparison I did they have even less reasons to pick VW over the other family sedans:
VW Passat: $27,600
Toyota Camry SE: $25,840
Honda Accord EX: $26,805
Nissan Altima 3.5 SE: $25,680
Mazda MAZDA6 S Sport: $24,330
(I picked the V6 models to compare with the turbo-charge 4 banger Passat just for giggles, we all know that the I4 models cost even less than the prices shown above…)
The lead that Lexus had over BMW has more than doubled from 2,000 in August to over 5,000 in September, seems to me that BMW’s chance to overtake Lexus in 2009 is all about to be over… With trailing Lexus by over 10,000 units MB is edging closer and closer to be eliminated from the battle.
Few interesting facts worth to point out…
1. Lexus sold 8,228 RX, which makes it the best selling luxury vehicle in September. The RX also single handily outsold the entire Acura, Audi or Infiniti brand.
2. Cadillac’s sales jumped over 4,000 units from August, impressive!
3. BMW 3-series dropped about 3,000 units from last month, don’t exactly know what is going on there but that is not a good sign for BMW.
Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
ffpower says: The SLS AMG just look more beautiful each time I stare at it, it’s one of those cars you have to open yours eyes and mind to appreciate what the designers are trying to accomplish. The future comparisons between it and the Lexus LF-A should be some excellent reads.
Lamborghini Reventon Roadster
ffpower says: Not the biggest of the Lamborghini Reventon but this roadster version is simply sex on wheels.
BMW Vision Dynamics Concept
ffpower says: BMW deserves an “A” for promoting fuel efficient sports cars but gets a “F” for taking other manufacturer’s idea and make it look like they are the original…
Ferrari 458 Italia
ffpower says: The F430 replacement is cleaner than its predecessor, however, it is also not as exciting to look at… But I am sure it’ll drive like a Ferrari, as always.
Following are the rumored performance specs for both cars:
Lexus LF-A
Power rating: 550+ HP
Torque rating: 369 lb-ft
Engine type: 4.8L V10
Engine placement: Front/mid-mount
Drive type: RWD
0 – 60 acceleration: ~ 3.5 seconds
Top Speed: 210+ mph
Price: ~ $250,000 US
MB SLS AMG
Power rating: 563 HP
Torque rating: 480 lb-ft
Engine type: 6.3L V8
Engine placement: Front/mid-mount
Drive type: RWD
0 – 60 acceleration: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 197 mph
Price: ~ $250,000 US
As you can see, these two cars match up pretty well on all aspects, including mechanical setup, performance and even down to pricing. The only difference seems to be AMG prefers the high displacement, high torque V8 but Lexus went with the small displacement, high revving (Max engine speed is nearly 9000 rpm) V10.
If that’s not enough to convince you that this is the match-up made in heaven, how about this: The MB SLS AMG is the first car ever developed solely from the ground up by MB’s performance department – AMG. The Lexus LF-A on the other hand is the first supercar from Toyota and many would argue that it is the first true exotic from any Japanese automakers. With that in mind when both cars go on sale in 2010 we can expect to read all about their head-to-head comparison from all the major automotive publications. So…
Last month Lexus was still trailing BMW by about 1,500 units and one month is all it takes for Lexus to regain the lead by over 2,000 (Lexus outsold BMW in August by 3,660 units). With the HS250h on sale now and rumor has it that the new GX will go on sale at end of the year I just don’t see how BMW can regain the lead from this point on.
By the way, it also amazes me month after month that Acura is able to stay as a solid distant fourth even with its whole new uglified lineup…
Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
One month is all it takes for Lexus to get back in the game… Well, technically Lexus was never out of the game. Let’s not forget that the HS250h will go on sale later this year so BMW’s best days may have already been passed. Following is the complete sales number break down for all luxury brands:
Went to the Audi performance driving event several months ago so I had an opportunity to drive the A4 3.2 Quattro on the infield track at California Speedway in Fontana as well as its competitors (328xi, IS250 AWD and C300 4Matic). Overall I have to say that I am not impressed by the new A4 at all.
The interior material quality is no longer class leading, both the Lexus and Bimmer have better quality materials. Fit and finish is still top notch but which one isn’t in this segment? Okay, maybe not so much for the Infiniti… Read the rest of this entry »
Following are the performance specs released by the manuactures for both cars:
It puzzles me everytime when people say Passat is the “driver’s car” of family sedans and other aren’t… I mean, all the sedans are products of compromise, some are compromised more than others, that’s it, to say that the Passat is a “drive’s car” while others aren’t is just ridiculous in my humble opinion.
Following are the rumored performance specs for both cars: