Lexus Leads Luxury Carmakers in U.S. Sales During Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has swept a healthcare and economic crisis throughout California and across the U.S. The resulting downturn left few businesses spared, especially car manufacturers and dealers who saw new sales come to a grinding halt. 

But it wasn’t all bad news for Lexus. The Toyota-affiliated company was the leading seller in the U.S. among luxury brands for the first time in a decade, topping the likes of Mercedes and BMW, Automotive News reports.

Lexus sold more than 75,000 cars in the U.S. during the third quarter, a 2% increase from the same three-month period a year earlier. Meanwhile, Mercedes saw U.S. sales slip by more than 9% to nearly 70,000 vehicles and BMW sales declined by more than 16% to just below the 70,000 mark.

Lexus has strong sales for its RX crossover to thank, according to Automotive News.  

Still, the market for luxury vehicles is not looking exactly strong as the pandemic lingers and fears of a second wave grow. Nearly all of the major luxury brands have seen sales drop over the last nine months, with the biggest declines coming for Infiniti (-33%), Jaguar (-27%), and Cadillac (-25%).

And then there is Tesla. Elon Musk’s luxury electric vehicle brand saw sales jump by more than 21% over the last nine months. That includes a 17% increase in the third quarter, during the height of the pandemic.

Luxury Cars Have Defects Too

Although Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and other luxury brands come with a bigger price tag, they are much like other cars in that they often come loaded with serious defects that pose significant safety hazards.

Toyota and Lexus, for example, have recalled 3.3 million vehicles this year because of a fuel pump problem that could cause the cars to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. In 2017, BMW was forced to recall 1 million vehicles because of a crankcase ventilation valve heater issue that could cause electrical fires.

The good news for car owners in California is that you have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. Car manufacturers are required to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. If the company is unable or unwilling to fix the problem, it is required to buy back or replace the vehicle.

Speak With a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you are a car owner or lessor who is grappling with a manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work aggressively to help people enforce their rights.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.