Lexus Jumps Back Into U.S. Luxury Sales Race With New SUV: Cars - Bloomberg
’s Lexus brand has gotten itself back in the hunt for the U. S. luxury auto-sales crown. The new NX, a small sport utility vehicle starting around $35,000, has helped Toyota’s luxury brand to a 26 percent sales gain this year through February, enough to hop over BMW for second place in the U. S. luxury sales race. With its reputation for outstanding durability and its versatile RX crossover, Lexus was No. 1 in the U. S. for 11 years until 2011, when recalls and natural disasters tripped it up and the Germans seized control. “The NX is a brilliant product and it really fills a pretty big hole that Lexus has had for a pretty long time,” said John Krafcik, president of auto researcher TrueCar Inc. Beyond luxury, Toyota had a good month -- or rather the least disappointing month among major automakers in the U. S. Its total sales rose 13 percent and it outsold Ford Motor Co. to rank second only to General Motors Co. All of the biggest car... The annualized selling rate, adjusted for seasonal trends, rose to 16. 2 million cars and light trucks from a 15. 4 million pace a year earlier, according to Autodata Corp. Luxury Race Last year, BMW AG’s namesake brand held. Source: www.bloomberg.com
