The limousine segment in Europe was up 6% to 11.600 sales in the first quarter of 2017, compared to an overall market up 7,8%. Segment leader Mercedes-Benz S-Class holds on to its top spot, but loses 9% of its volume and is now under serious threat of the new generation BMW 7-series. Considering the S-Class figures also include sales of the coupe and convertible versions, BMW most likely outsells its rival in pure sedan sales. On the bottom step of the podium we have a change of guard, as the Audi A8 loses a quarter of its volume as it’s due for a redesign, which promises to be the most advanced car of its class, just like its two rivals when they get updated. The A8 loses its position to the second generation Porsche Panamera, which triples the volume of its predecessor in the same period last year.
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
In fifth place we find the Jaguar XJ with virtually stable volume, while the Bentley Flying Spur improves 58% to outsell the Maserati Quattroporte. The even more expensive Mulsanne also grows with double digits and sold exact the same number as the smaller Rolls Royce Ghost. The latter perhaps benefits from the model change of the top-of-the-line Phantom. In 2017, Porsche will continue to roll out additional versions of the Panamera, including the fastest ever: the Turbo S e-Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz will facelift the S-Class to better compete against the 7-Series, and we’ll see all-new generations of the A8 and Lexus LS.
Also check out the limousine segment in the US, where the Cadillac CT6 has made a splashing entry into second place, while the Genesis G90 is in an impressive fourth place.
| Limousine segment | 2017-Q1 | 2016-Q1 | Change | |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 3.708 | 4.095 | -9% |
| 2 | BMW 7-series | 3.273 | 3.099 | 6% |
| 3 | Porsche Panamera | 2.066 | 664 | 211% |
| 4 | Audi A8 / S8 | 1.361 | 1.816 | -25% |
| 5 | Jaguar XJ | 644 | 653 | -1% |
| 6 | Bentley Flying Spur | 226 | 143 | 58% |
| 7 | Maserati Quattroporte | 153 | 181 | -15% |
| 8 | Bentley Mulsanne | 63 | 53 | 19% |
| 9 | Rolls Royce Ghost | 63 | 51 | 24% |
| 10 | Aston Martin Rapide | 40 | 32 | 25% |
| 11 | Rolls Royce Phantom | 15 | 25 | -40% |
| 12 | Volkswagen Phaeton | 6 | 101 | -94% |
| Segment total | 11.618 | 10.913 | 6% |
Click on any model to see its annual sales from 1997-2016 and monthly sales from 2012 to 2016, or use the dropdown menu in the top right of this site.
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.