In the first quarter of 2021, European sales of limousines and upper class vehicles were up 13%, compared to a stable overall market. This beats the overall market but keeps their share stable at 0.3% of the total European car market.
There are big movements in the ranking, with all models showing at either double or triple digit increases or double digit declines. If BMW ended 2020 with the two best sellers in the class, it starts 2021 with those nameplates in 2nd and 4th place. That’s because Mercedes-Benz has reclaimed control of the class now that the new generation S-Class has arrived in showrooms and immediately dominates the segment with 40.6% share, almost double on Q1 of 2020. Last year’s winner BMW 8-Series is down 20% and into 2nd place while the BMW 7-Series is down 33% into 4th place due to the increased competition from Mercedes. The Porsche Panamera is up 38% on last year and rejoins the podium. The Audi A8 is down 18% and the Bentley Flying Spur is down 22%. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is up 132% thanks to the new generation but it still only managed 51 deliveries. The Lexus LS is up 21% and moves ahead of the Maserati Quattroporte. We welcome the Genesis G90 to the ranking with its first 16 deliveries, outselling the Bentley Mulsanne, Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Jaguar XJ which has been axed.
| Upper class | 2021-Q1 | 2020-Q1 | Change | 2021 share | 2020 share | |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 3.596 | 1.649 | 118% | 40,6% | 21,0% |
| 2 | BMW 8-series | 1.691 | 2.103 | -20% | 19,1% | 26,8% |
| 3 | Porsche Panamera | 1.252 | 907 | 38% | 14,1% | 11,6% |
| 4 | BMW 7-series | 1.229 | 1.824 | -33% | 13,9% | 23,2% |
| 5 | Audi A8 / S8 | 859 | 1.053 | -18% | 9,7% | 13,4% |
| 6 | Bentley Flying Spur | 85 | 109 | -22% | 1,0% | 1,4% |
| 7 | Rolls Royce Ghost | 51 | 22 | 132% | 0,6% | 0,3% |
| 8 | Lexus LS | 29 | 24 | 21% | 0,3% | 0,3% |
| 9 | Maserati Quattroporte | 24 | 31 | -23% | 0,3% | 0,4% |
| 10 | Genesis G90 | 16 | 0 | New | 0,2% | 0,0% |
| 11 | Bentley Mulsanne | 13 | 18 | -28% | 0,1% | 0,2% |
| 12 | Rolls Royce Phantom | 10 | 13 | -23% | 0,1% | 0,2% |
| 13 | Jaguar XJ | 3 | 78 | -96% | 0,0% | 1,0% |
| Segment total | 8.858 | 7.847 | 13% |
Car sales statistics are from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.