Lexus's Segment Share Undercut Without 3-Row RX - Ward's Auto
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Although it is the No. 1 seller in its segment this year, the Lexus RX’s 3-row competitors are eating into its volume. Lexus for years has been pondering a 3-row RX or another CUV with three rows, knowing many Americans like to have the option of a third row in a midsize CUV, even if they won’t frequently use it. Now it appears dealers may finally get their wish... The forthcoming ’16 RX uses the same platform as ’s Highlander CUV, which offers a third row. Bracken says Lexus “could make an announcement pretty soon” on a 3-row RX, seemingly confirming reports of the CUV’s existence. Not only has the RX lost share this year to models in its Middle Luxury CUV segment, WardsAuto data shows, it also is losing sales to bigger CUVs. The RX’s market share in its segment through July was 15. 5%, down from 20. 1% in the same period year-ago, while the X5, which has an optional third row, grew share to 10. 4% from 8. 9% among Middle Luxury CUVs. Through July, Lexus sold 52,543 RXs in the U. S. , down 7. 7% from year-ago’s nearly 60,000 units. Source: wardsauto.com
