Sales of exotic cars in Europe are down slightly more than “regular” cars, at -5% vs. -2% for the whole market. Compact sports cars are down even more, at -8%, while large sports cars (the “911-segment”) are up 6%, but only thanks to the introduction of a new model into the segment.
In the exotics segment, the Bentley Continental GT and GTC keep their lead, despite sales down 10%, as the segment’s number 2, the Ferrari 458 Italia is down even more, at -17%. The introduction of the 458 Speciale should help it stabilize its sales before an update in 2015 to keep the car fresh.
2014 will be an interesting year for Lamborghini, as the Gallardo replacement Huracan will reach showrooms is spring this year and should be able to get 400+ sales by the end of the year.
The Ferrari F12 and Aston Martin Vanquish have come in with a bang in 2013, storming to 5th place and 8th place respectively. The latter hasn’t cannibalized on the DBS either, as that model is up 35% as well.
The McLaren 12C will be replaced by the 650S in 2014 and that new model should be able to help the brand increase sales again, as it has fallen very far behind its intended target, the 458 Italia.
Bugatti also sold 12 Veyrons in Europe in 2013, up 50% on the year before. This year will be the final year for the Veyron, as the last 50 cars will be produced, all Grand Sport targa models.
This year will mark the battle of the hypercars, as deliveries of the Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 will start. Production for worldwide markets will be limited to 499, 918 and 375 units respectively, so don’t look for them near the top of the charts.
| Exotic car segment |
2013 | 2012 | Change | |
| 1. | Bentley Continental GT/GTC | 1.657 | 1.837 | -10% |
| 2. | Ferrari 458 Italia | 1.236 | 1.498 | -17% |
| 3. | Ferrari F12 | 624 | 82 | 661% |
| 4. | Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG | 576 | 1.089 | -47% |
| 5. | Aston Martin Vanquish | 379 | 11 | 3345% |
| 6. | Aston Martin DBS | 309 | 229 | 35% |
| 7. | Lamborghini Aventador | 226 | 222 | 2% |
| 8. | Ferrari FF | 208 | 480 | -57% |
| 9. | Lamborghini Gallardo | 204 | 231 | -12% |
| 10. | McLaren 12C | 143 | 192 | -26% |
| 11. | Ferrari LaFerrari | 4 | 0 | new |
| Total | 5.566 | 5.871 | -5% | |
In the large sports car segment, the Porsche 911 remains king of the hill by far, as it has been for decades. The 911 still manages to hold more than half of the segment volume, as it’s the only model to actually increase year-over-year sales while all others fall.
Naturally, the only exception is the single new entry into the segment, the Jaguar F-type, storming onto the podium in its introduction year. It is set to move up one more spot in 2014, but won’t have the illusion of kicking the 911 off the top spot.
The Audi R8 and Aston Martin V8/V12 Vantage remain relatively stable in sales, dropping just 2% or less compared to 2012.
In 2014, the Corvette will rise back up the charts thanks to the arrival of the C7 “Stingray”, as it has been hailed by the press and should be able to do better than its predecessor, which peaked at over 1.200 units in 2007. Don’t expect these kinds of figures in its introduction year, but the ‘Vette is absolutely a contender for the 2015 segment top 5.
| Large sports car segment | 2013 | 2012 | Change | |
| 1. | Porsche 911 | 12.369 | 12.039 | 3% |
| 2. | Mercedes-Benz SL | 3.403 | 3.937 | -14% |
| 3. | Jaguar F-type | 2.750 | 0 | new |
| 4. | Jaguar XK | 1.421 | 1.809 | -21% |
| 5. | Audi R8 | 1.021 | 1.046 | -2% |
| 6. | Aston Martin V8/V12 Vantage | 742 | 753 | -1% |
| 7. | Maserati GranTurismo | 497 | 609 | -18% |
| 8. | Nissan GT-R | 480 | 738 | -35% |
| 9. | Ferrari California | 340 | 556 | -39% |
| 10. | Maserati GranCabrio | 253 | 350 | -28% |
| 11. | Corvette | 158 | 191 | -17% |
| Segment total | 23.434 | 22.028 | 6% | |
In the small sports car segment, the leadership of the Mercedes-Benz SLK is under threat by the Audi TT, as both are down but the Audi much less than its rival. With the new generation Audi TT revealed at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show for an introduction later in 2014, the TT may reclaim the segment lead in 2014, which it already had from 2007 until 2010. Similarly, the BMW Z4 manages to hold off the Porsche Boxster, but with no replacement in the pipeline anytime soon, the small Porsche is looking to beat a BMW Z3/Z4 roadster for the first time ever in 2014.
For the first time since the introduction of the Mazda MX-5, it’s knocked off its pedestal as the most popular Japanese sports car in Europe. And while its spiritual predecessor, the Toyota Celica, managed to come within 500 units of the Mazda roadster in 2000, it’s the Toyota GT86 that writes history by outselling the MX-5 by 30 sales. Also striking is the difference in sales with its clone, the Subaru BRZ, although not surprising considering the difference in size of their dealer networks. Still, with Subaru’s reputation thanks to the WRX in mind, I had expected more of the BRZ.
| Compact sports car segment | ||||
| 2013 | 2012 | Change | ||
| 1. | Mercedes-Benz SLK | 12.594 | 17.731 | -29% |
| 2. | Audi TT | 12.331 | 13.623 | -9% |
| 3. | Peugeot RCZ | 7.440 | 9.585 | -22% |
| 4. | Toyota GT86 | 6.080 | 4.783 | 27% |
| 5. | Mazda MX-5 | 6.050 | 7.121 | -15% |
| 6. | BMW Z4 | 5.970 | 7.508 | -20% |
| 7. | Porsche Boxster | 5.904 | 4.414 | 34% |
| 8. | Porsche Cayman | 3.391 | 935 | 263% |
| 9. | Chevrolet Camaro | 1.496 | 2.169 | -31% |
| 10. | Subaru BRZ | 865 | 381 | 127% |
| 11. | Nissan 370Z | 754 | 1.029 | -27% |
| 13. | Ford Mustang | 635 | 951 | -33% |
| 14. | Morgan | 508 | 525 | -3% |
| 15. | Hyundai Genesis coupe | 293 | 978 | -70% |
| 16. | Lotus Exige | 239 | 16 | 1394% |
| 17. | Lotus Elise | 210 | 252 | -17% |
| 18. | Lotus Evora | 158 | 152 | 4% |
| 19. | Caterham Super 7 | 105 | 151 | -30% |
| Segment total | 65.023 | 72.304 | -10% | |
Click on any model to see its annual sales from 2000-2013 and monthly sales in 2012 and 2013, or use the dropdown menu in the top right of this site.