Mercedes-Benz has maintained its dominance on Australia’s luxury car market through the first half of 2021, sitting atop the sales charts ahead of BMW and Audi.
Most of the luxury brands in Australia have seen their sales grow between January and June 2021, albeit more slowly than the wider market (up 28.3 per cent).
A full breakdown of the luxury brands on sale in Australia for the first half of the year are below:
| Sales, June 2021 | Sales, H1 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | 3330 (-24.9 per cent) | 16,141 (+12.4 per cent) |
| BMW | 3078 (-6.9 per cent) | 14,108 (+12.1 per cent) |
| Audi | 1608 (-20.7 per cent) | 9013 (+24.7 per cent) |
| Lexus | 992 (-36.4 per cent) | 5392 (+13.8 per cent) |
| Volvo | 1083 (-2.7 per cent) | 5439 (+61.4 per cent) |
| Land Rover | 908 (-19.4 per cent) | 3867 (+3.4 per cent) |
| Jaguar | 249 (-2.7 per cent) | 703 (-19.3 per cent) |
| Alfa Romeo | 72 (+24.1 per cent) | 304 (+6.3 per cent) |
| Genesis | 85 (+304.8 per cent) | 258 (+309.5 per cent) |
Mercedes-Benz
The three-pointed star is flying in Australia, sitting atop the sales charts again.
Its range is fairly settled for now, although it’s preparing to welcome more EQA models, the ultra high-end EQS electric sedan, and the Mercedes-Maybach limousine later in 2021.
A diesel G-Wagen is on track to come Down Under, but none are expected to add massive volume to the brand’s tally.
| Car | H1 2021 sales |
|---|---|
| AMG GT 4-Door | 7 (-79.4 per cent) |
| AMG GT | 22 (+46.7 per cent) |
| A-Class | 2259 (-32.4 per cent) |
| B-Class | 234 (-6.8 per cent) |
| C-Class | 2314 (+57.7 per cent) |
| C-Class coupe/cabrio | 685 (+4.6 per cent) |
| CLA | 452 (-46.4 per cent) |
| CLS | 23 (-46.5 per cent) |
| E-Class | 551 (+52.2 per cent) |
| E-Class coupe/cabrio | 191 (+48.1 per cent) |
| EQA | 88 (new model) |
| EQC | 127 (+122.8 per cent) |
| G-Class | 341 (+292 per cent) |
| GLA | 1712 (+32.1 per cent) |
| GLB | 2006 (+841.8 per cent) |
| GLC coupe | 430 (-39.9 per cent) |
| GLC wagon | 1741 (-31 per cent) |
| GLE coupe | 615 (+999 per cent) |
| GLE wagon | 1715 (+4.8 per cent) |
| GLS | 487 (-3.2 per cent) |
| S-Class | 137 (+132.2 per cent) |
BMW
BMW has had a strong start to 2021, after a strong finish to 2020.
It’s preparing for a big back half of this year, too, with an updated X3 and X4 SUV, new 2 Series, new 4 Series Gran Coupe and Convertible, and a broader M3 and M4 range all set to touch down locally.
BMW will also be heartened to see the X5 outselling the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the X3 outselling the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, and the X7 nipping at the heels of the GLS.
| Car | H1 2021 sales |
|---|---|
| 1 Series | 1523 (+12.3 per cent) |
| 2 Series | 311 (-17.5 per cent) |
| 2 Series Gran Coupe | 1182 (+76.2 per cent) |
| 3 Series | 2260 (+20.7 per cent) |
| 4 Series | 594 (+178.9 per cent) |
| 5 Series | 370 (-3.1 per cent) |
| 6 Series GT | 56 (-40.4 per cent) |
| 7 Series | 51 (-17.7 per cent) |
| 8 Series | 20 (-67.2 per cent) |
| 8 Series Gran Coupe | 18 (-62.5 per cent) |
| i3 | 32 (-15.8 per cent) |
| X1 | 1963 (+22.9 per cent) |
| X2 | 330 (-10.8 per cent) |
| X3 | 2258 (+8.8 per cent) |
| X4 | 503 (-43.1 per cent) |
| X5 | 1902 (+33 per cent) |
| X6 | 291 (-15.4 per cent) |
| X7 | 407 (-8.5 per cent) |
| Z4 | 37 (-78.1 per cent) |
Audi
Both 2020 and 2021 have been big years for Audi, with plenty of model launches – and plenty more to come.
The new Q3 and updated Q5 are driving most of Audi’s growth, but they’ll be joined later in 2021 by a new A3, and a coupe-styled Q5 Sportback.
| Cars | H1 2021 sales |
|---|---|
| A1 | 411 (+50 per cent) |
| A3 | 214 (-80.4 per cent) |
| A3 Convertible | 3 (-96.6 per cent) |
| A4 | 425 (+13.9 per cent) |
| A5 | 109 (+26.7 per cent) |
| A5 Sportback | 362 (+13.5 per cent) |
| A6 | 159 (+120.8 per cent) |
| A7 | 56 (30.2 per cent) |
| A8 | 16 (+100 per cent) |
| e-tron | 69 (+999 per cent) |
| Q2 | 910 (+45.4 per cent) |
| Q3 | 2912 (+61.3 per cent) |
| Q5 | 2216 (+5.3 per cent) |
| Q7 | 916 (+11.2 per cent) |
| R8 | 22 (+633.3 per cent) |
| TT | 25 (-10.7 per cent) |
Lexus
Lexus is gearing up for a big transformation in the second half of 2021.
The IS, CT, and RC are all being axed in November, and the brand is getting ready to welcome a new NX mid-sized SUV.
In the meantime, the ES large sedan has continued its sales growth, and the NX has remained strong as it hits its runout period.
Volvo
Volvo’s charge up the sales charts shows no signs of abating.
Its range is small compared to Lexus, let alone Mercedes-Benz or BMW, but it continues to post strong growth led by its SUVs.
Change is the order of the day later in 2021. The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is coming, as is the Volvo V60 Cross Country.
The V90 Cross Country’s reign is over, and the range is gaining mild-hybrid petrol options as diesel is phased out.
Land Rover
Land Rover has spent the past 12 months battling supply struggles on the back of COVID-19 and the global semiconductor shortage, but things are looking up in the second half of 2021.
It’s marginally up on the same point in 2020, but with updated versions either due or having just arrived for most of its cars.
The most exciting debut is the Defender 90, though. Keep an eye out for our review of the car next week.
| Cars | H1 2021 sales |
|---|---|
| Defender | 912 (new model) |
| Discovery | 243 (-51.3 per cent) |
| Discovery Sport | 334 (-61.5 per cent) |
| Range Rover | 129 (+15.2 per cent) |
| Range Rover Evoque | 746 (-14 per cent) |
| Range Rover Sport | 1155 (+10.1 per cent) |
| Range Rover Velar | 348 (+1.2 per cent) |
Jaguar
Jaguar has been busy recently.
The F-Pace has a new look and a new infotainment system, the XE has moved to an all-wheel-drive-only line-up, and the XF range now contains only one model.
The I-Pace was updated in 2020, while the F-Type keeps on keeping on.
Sales are down to date in 2021, with a 24.4 per cent drop in E-Pace sales largely to blame.
Alfa Romeo
Although the Giulietta and 4C are still live on the Alfa Romeo website, the Stelvio and Giulia are the future for Alfa.
Both have recently been treated to updates, with more upmarket interiors and fresh tech to better take on the Germans.
Genesis
Genesis is on the rise now it’s got more than just a pair of sedans.
The GV80 SUV is its biggest seller, although that’s expected to be short-lived once the smaller and more affordable GV70 touches down and is treated to a formal launch.
