The upper class segment is the best performing class in the US in the first three quarters of 2022, with sales up 18% in an overall market down 13%. With just over 29,000 deliveries, it remains one of the smallest segments at 0.3% share. This is not only a result of automakers prioritizing production of high-margin products in supply constrained circumstances, but mostly due to the introduction of new electrified models and the launch of a new generation of the class leader.
The traditional leader Mercedes-Benz S-Class is up 24% and gains share year-to-date, but it was down by two thirds in the thirds quarter as that was the new generation’s first full quarter of deliveries. Its all-electric sibling Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan is in second place, giving the brand a dominant 58.8% share of the class with over 17,000 deliveries. With an upcoming facelift the BMW 7-Series was down by half in the third quarter when it was narrowly outsold by the Porsche Panamera. Year-to-date, the 7-Series is still well ahead, despite a 35% drop in deliveries vs a 6% gain for the Panamera. The Lexus LS is dropping by large double digits as well, as do the Audi A8 and Genesis G90. All-electric newcomer Lucid Air consolidates its 6th place.
Deliveries of the Cadillac CT6, Kia K900 and Jaguar XJ have come to a full stop.
US upper class sedan sales 2022 Q1-Q3
| Upper class | 2022 Q1-Q3 | 2021 Q1-Q3 | Change | 2022 Share | 2022-Q3 | Change | |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz S-class | 11.374 | 9.181 | 24% | 39,1% | 2.637 | -66% |
| 2 | Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan | 5.751 | 0 | New | 19,8% | 1.701 | New |
| 3 | BMW 7-series | 3.905 | 5.987 | -35% | 13,4% | 1.016 | -51% |
| 4 | Porsche Panamera | 2.963 | 2.806 | 6% | 10,2% | 1.050 | -4% |
| 5 | Lexus LS | 1.989 | 3.312 | -40% | 6,8% | 741 | -30% |
| 6 | Lucid Air (est.) | 1.290 | 0 | New | 4,4% | 600 | New |
| 7 | Audi A8 / S8 | 1.025 | 1.762 | -42% | 3,5% | 384 | -41% |
| 8 | Genesis G90 | 786 | 1.266 | -38% | 2,7% | 206 | -49% |
| 9 | Cadillac CT6 | 22 | 172 | -87% | 0,1% | 0 | -100% |
| 10 | Jaguar XJ | 5 | 24 | -79% | 0,0% | 0 | -100% |
| 11 | Kia K900 | 0 | 83 | -100% | 0,0% | 0 | -100% |
| Segment total | 29.110 | 24.593 | 18% | 8.335 | -36% |
Source: Manufacturers.