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Crossovers continue to set sales records
Range Rover SVAutobiography. Range Rover has set a new sales record in the US. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, December 2, 2015.November has set yet another new car sales record in the US, and from Audi to Volvo, the story is the same, people just can't get enough of SUVs and crossovers.
"Land Rover is having its best year ever in the US," said Joe Eberhardt, president and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America.
The premium marque managed a remarkable 6,539 units, up 79% from 3,644 units in November 2014 and the increase is due to demand for the company's most expensive models.
"[Sales are] led by the flagship SUV, the Range Rover," said Eberhardt.
In the luxury sphere, Infiniti also saw its crossover and sport utility vehicle sales rocket by 44% year over year. Even its most exclusive car, the QX60 7-passenger crossover, set a new November record of 3,736 units.
And it was a similar story with BMW, where buyers made a beeline for the X3 and X6.
"There's no question the trend is towards light trucks and the improving availability of our Sports Activity Vehicles gave a nice boost to our overall sales in November," said Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO, BMW of North America.
This demand has also led to Volvo setting new records – 63% of its sales were made up of SUV purchases.
"We've achieved the highest monthly volume in the US market in eight years thanks in part to strong sales of the award-winning XC90 and the XC60," said Lex Kerssemakers, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America.
But this trend continues to permeate the entire car market from top to bottom.
"The phenomenal growth of crossovers in a record-setting market is the biggest sales story of 2015," said Kurt McNeil, GM's US vice-president of sales operations. Its Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax, Equinox and Traverse are all on course for their best yearly sales.
"We believe US auto sales will continue to grow in 2016," said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM chief economist.
"And we expect customers will continue to embrace crossovers and SUVs because they are meeting their fundamental needs for utility, comfort and fuel efficiency."
The crossover effect was felt just as strongly at Ford.
"We saw strong customer demand for our cars and SUVs with the latest technology and sold a very rich mix in November," said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice-president, US marketing, sales and service.
SUVs and crossovers are expected to account for a combined five million sales in the US by the end of 2015 and Ford believes that by decade's end, they will account for 40% of all vehicle sales in the US. – AFP/Relaxnews, December 2, 2015.
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