Sales in the premium limousine segment fell by 12% compared to 2014, the worst performance from among all premium segments. However, things are definitely looking up for the segment in 2016, with the new BMW 7-series picking up more sales after a late-2015 market debut, and planned market introduction of further two new models: Porsche Panamera and Genesis G90, replacement for the Hyundai Equus.
The Mercedes-Benz S class was the market leader in 2015, just as it had been in seven of the past ten years. In fact, at almost 40%, its market share is as high as it had been over that period, and considerably higher than the 22% its predecessor scraped together in 2011 and 2012. The BMW 7-series led the chasing pack, but it managed fewer than half of the sales of its arch-rival. However, there is a sense that its latest iteration, with its trick carbon fiber construction and a newfound focus on comfort, may prove a more formidable competitor to the S class.
In third spot was the Lexus LS, the model which topped segment sales between 2007 and 2009. Its sales in 2015 fell 16% compared to the previous year, a similar performance to models below it in the sales charts. In fourth is the Audi A8 (sales down 15%), followed by the Porsche Panamera (sales down 13%) in fifth and Jaguar XJ (sales down 17%) in sixth. The only change in ranking came at the back, with the new-for-2014 Kia K900 overtaking its about-to-be-replaced Hyundai Equus cousin for seventh spot.
Note: clicking on the model name opens the sales data page for that model; clicking year in the legend turns the display for that year on/off