Photo credit: Auto Motor und SportIf you thought the first quarter of 2014 was an impressive one for the limousine segment, the second quarter improves even further on that performance, with over 11.500 cars sold in those three months. Almost 5.000 of those, or 43%, are the recently renewed Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the supreme leader of the segment since forever. Well, with the exception of 2009 and 2012 that is, because the BMW 7-series took the crown in those years.
Even with this impressive performance, the S-Class isn’t anywhere near the levels the W220-generation managed around the new millennium, when that model topped 30.000 annual units three years in a row. Of course, the competition has grown significantly since, not only from new entrants in this segment, like the Porsche Panamera, but also from Luxury SUV’s, a segment that was virtually non-existent 15 years ago.
The Audi A8 holds on firmly to the second place it has taken from the 7-series this year for only the third time ever, after it already did so in 2007 and 2008. The 7-series is not even on the podium anymore, as it’s been bumped into fourth place by the Panamera. If the Porsche manages to stay ahead of the BMW, it would be the first time ever that the 7-series is not on the segment podium. It wouldn’t be a record for the Panamera though, as it’s already come second in 2012. Ironically, it was that same 7-series who was the leader of the segment that year.
The Jaguar XJ is now under threat by the ancient Volkswagen Phaeton, despite the former looking that much fresher than the German. In fact, the Phaeton outsold the Jag every month in the second quarter.
The Maserati Quattroporte continues the impressive run of its new generation, now moving back into 7th place, leapfrogging the Bentley Flying Spur, which makes an impressive comeback after its update in the second half of last year.
| LIMOUSINE | ||||
| 2014-H1 | 2013-H1 | Change | ||
| 1. | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 9.182 | 2.710 | 239% |
| 2. | Audi A8/S8 | 3.810 | 3.067 | 24% |
| 3. | Porsche Panamera | 3.281 | 2.354 | 39% |
| 4. | BMW 7-series | 2.783 | 3.152 | -12% |
| 5. | Jaguar XJ | 1.089 | 1.230 | -11% |
| 6. | Volkswagen Phaeton | 992 | 1.025 | -3% |
| 7. | Maserati Quattroporte | 431 | 150 | 187% |
| 8. | Bentley Flying Spur | 347 | 20 | 1635% |
| 9. | Lexus LS (est.) | 120 | 242 | -50% |
| 10. | Rolls Royce Ghost | 104 | 153 | -32% |
| 11. | Bentley Mulsanne | 97 | 86 | 13% |
| 12. | Aston Martin Rapide | 85 | 131 | -35% |
| 13. | Rolls Royce Phantom | 64 | 69 | -7% |
| Segment total | 22.385 | 14.389 | 56% |
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