Robust NX Sales Allow Lexus To Stay Ahead Of Third Place BMW In US Sales Race

For those interested

YTD:
Mercedes - 48,236
Lexus - 46,126
BMW - 44,182

Feb:
BMW - 25,201
Mercedes - 23,616
Lexus - 22,995

LEXUS is going the way CADILLAC is, luxury SUVs are what they are selling.

Actually part of a troubling trend for all automakers.

There are two factors that have a huge influence on how well a vehicle sells:
(1) What people think about it (includes appearance, reliability, luxury, etc.)
(2) Price

I don't like this vehicle's styling, so I'm not a good judge of whether its look has mass appeal or not (my opinion is tainted by my perception). Still, I wonder why it's so popular.

Definitely have mixed feelings on Lexus. The bullfrog front end does not work on everything, it is ok for the LF-SA city car because those are ok to be a bit goofy, but I don't want a goofy face on everything. On the other hand I love the interior looks of the IS series cars, reminds me of a really good update of the E30 series BMW interior, while BMW on the other hand has gone in a direction that is mediocre style wise on their interiors.

Price for what's included is driving these sales. It undercuts the X3 and Q5 by over 5 grand. Layer in the reliability and premium brand perception and this is what is drawing customers. It is most certinately not style. But hey, people can say they have a Lexus for less than they can say they drive a BMW.

It it were my money, 5 grand or so is worth it so I can appreciate a good looking car in my garage. Q5 is where I would go.

jeffgall writes "...5 grand or so [more] is worth it so I can appreciate a good looking car in my garage. Q5 is where I would go."

I have to agree. The Q5 is arguably the most beautiful SUV/Crossover available today. Mine's ordered.

I would argue the Q7 is even better looking, even after 7 years on the market. Reason why I bought one;). Plus, I needed the extra room to carry the family around.

Hideous... but reliable. Some folks will line up for it.. but there isnt a single REALLY good looking Lexus products. For that matter, of all the SUV's I'd say the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best looking.... this thing is just horrible looking...

The shit Joe Public consumes is sometimes baffling to me. This is one of those times.

Joe Public knows this thing won't break as often as a BMW or usual as an Audi

It all depends on what your priorities are.

Lexus for instance can't sell LS400s because at that range Joe Public cares less whether his S-Class or Range Rover breaks or uses too much gas.

Here's proof that due to it's reliability record, Lexus can slap that 'L' on any design, no matter how hideous, and people will still buy it. Wow!

Sex sells and this is one sexy SUV. Not a potato with 4 wheels.

Sexy? Yikes! I don't want to see your girlfriend or wife if you think this is sexy.

Not my cup of tea, but I saw one in person a couple days ago and it does look incrementally better in real life. Also, having owned several BMWs, a couple Mercedes and Audis, a Volvo, a couple Lexuses and a couple Acuras (back in the good old days), there sure is something nice about owning a car for years and never visiting the dealership for anything but maintenance.

It may start at $35K, but climbs rapidly, especially for the hybrid version. It's still going to top $50K once you choose what you want in it. That puts it quite close to the Q5 diesel, which has true all-wheel drive (the NX is battery only on one axle, so if the battery's low, no AWD), equal or better mileage, and better looking to boot.

This vehicle is in competition with the Mercedes GLA for ugliest vehicle. It is amazing that people pay $35k for what is essentially a (not so well) dressed up RAV4. That reliability CoolAid is still working.

Finally...someone else said it...a vehicle that is NOT a potato on wheels! There is a review on youtube of the NX vs the Audi Q5...and it is hilarious because that's what the Audi looks like, a big German potato on wheels! And, it costs more than the NX...looks 10 years older by comparison.

I'll tell you, just go into a Lexus dealership and people are ordering these left and right. There are just not enough on the lot to sell, and everyone wants the F Sport with the big honking grille!

And to the poster that made fun of someone calling this sexy and suggested they would hate to see that person's girlfriend/wife...well, I can only imagine that person is dating a potato, so I can see why they would say this.

leej they are giving them away for $799 down, first month payment on LEXUS and $289 per month. Cheaper than a Toyota Highlander. This is how they are moving them in central Florida.

The Q5 beautiful? hahahahhahahahaha! Honestly, driving past the Audi dealership to see these gray potatoes all lined up made me wonder what kind of stupor you would have to be in to buy one of these things...and 2 of them were priced at over $60k! You would think they were golden potatoes!

You have to give it to Lexus, they know what they're doing. The NX looks a lot better in person and on the road, and it is priced just right. It is going to sell like hotcakes for the next few years. The RC is another one that looks better in person and moving down the road. Once they re-design to the LS and RX Lexus is going to probably be #1 in sales again, if they don't do it this year. They've had since 2007 to design a totally new LS, it had better be spectacular. The S-Class is currently KILLING IT, outselling the LS, 7 and A8 COMBINED last year. Amazing. The GS F should have been the GS500 F-Sport, because it doesn't stand a chance against the E63, M5 an the like. That said, I still find it to be an interesting car. Lexus needs to do a convertible RC also. Don't they have a 7 seat crossover coming too? They're back!!

No doubt LEXUS will take the sales crown (only in the US) this year. They have fantastic leases in Florida: ES/NX/IS for $289, RXs and RCs for $349 and GS's for $399. This are awesome deals! First payment on LEXUS too!