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Lincoln Nautilus Sales Land Seventh Place In Segment During Q3 2020

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Lincoln Nautilus sales fell in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea during the third quarter of 2020.

Lincoln replaced the MKX with the Nautilus in 2019, in conjunction with the crossover’s midcycle refresh. Availability of both models continues to overlap in some international markets as dealers sell out the remaining MKX inventory and transition to selling the Nautilus. For this reason, our figures include both Nautilus and MKX results when applicable.

Lincoln Nautilus Sales - Q3 2020 - United States

In the United States, Lincoln Nautilus deliveries totaled 5,771 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 28 percent compared to 7,962 units sold in Q3 2019. Note that for the U.S. market, FoMoCo is combining sales of the MKX and Nautilus into a single line item.

In the first nine months of the year, Nautilus sales decreased about 33 percent to 16,052 units.
MODEL Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 Q3 2020 Q3 2019YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
NAUTILUS -27.52% 5,771 7,962 -33.07% 16,052 23,984

Lincoln Nautilus Sales - Q3 2020 - Canada

In Canada, Lincoln Nautilus deliveries totaled 639 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 35 percent compared to 982 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Nautilus sales decreased about 51 percent to 1,302 units.
MODEL Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 Q3 2020 Q3 2019YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
NAUTILUS -34.93% 639 982 -50.94% 1,302 2,654

Lincoln Nautilus Sales – Q3 2020 – Mexico

In Mexico, combined Lincoln Nautilus deliveries totaled 18 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of 82.52 percent compared to 103 combined Nautilus and MKX units sold in Q3 2019.

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MODEL Q3 20 / Q3 19 Q3 20 Q3 19 YTD 20 / YTD 19 YTD 20 YTD 19
NAUTILUS -81.05% 18 95 -20.00% 76 95
MKX -100.00% 0 8 -67.00% 67 203
TOTAL -82.52% 18 103 -52.01% 143 298

Lincoln Nautilus Sales - Q3 2020 - South Korea

In South Korea, Lincoln Nautilus deliveries totaled 47 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 84 percent compared to 300 units sold in Q3 2019.

In the first nine months of the year, Nautilus sales increased about 2 percent to 461 units.
MODEL Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 Q3 2020 Q3 2019YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
NAUTILUS -84.33% 47 300 +2.22% 461 451

Competitive Sales Comparison

Sales results of the Lincoln Nautilus in the United States keeps the nameplate in seventh place out of nine rivals in its competitive set in Q3 2020, behind the segment-leading BMW X3 and X4 (which made up a cumulative 17,946 units), Acura MDX, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Audi Q5, Cadillac XT5 (see Cadillac XT5 sales), and Volvo XC60. The Nautilus outsold the two remaining models in its segment – the Infiniti QX50 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Notably, only three out of the nine models in the segment posted an increase in sales during Q3 2020.

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Sales Numbers - D-Segment Luxury Crossovers - Q3 2020 - United States

MODEL Q3 20 / Q3 19 Q3 20 Q3 19 Q3 20 SHARE Q3 19 SHARE YTD 20 / YTD 19 YTD 20 YTD 19
BMW X3 -9.26% 16,326 17,993 19% 17% -27.37% 36,400 50,120
BMW X4 -26.93% 1,620 2,217 2% 2% -18.05% 4,781 5,834
ACURA MDX -0.12% 14,579 14,597 17% 14% -12.56% 32,553 37,231
MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS -38.94% 11,428 18,715 13% 18% -35.41% 33,987 52,621
AUDI Q5 -33.65% 11,339 17,090 13% 16% -40.23% 29,370 49,136
CADILLAC XT5 -23.13% 9,467 12,315 11% 12% -37.30% 24,273 38,711
VOLVO XC60 +8.48% 8,250 7,605 9% 7% -7.71% 20,462 22,171
LINCOLN NAUTILUS -27.52% 5,771 7,962 7% 8% -33.07% 16,052 23,984
INFINITI QX50 +12.57% 5,500 4,886 6% 5% +7.05% 14,569 13,610
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO +26.69% 2,843 2,244 3% 2% -1.26% 6,758 6,844
TOTAL -17.52% 87,123 105,624 -27.00% 219,205 300,262

The luxury D-crossover segment contracted 17.5 percent to 87,123 units during Q3 2020, meaning Lincoln Nautilus fell at a faster rate than the segment average during the quarter.

It’s worth noting that the above figures do not include Lexus RX sales figures. We are showing those below, since they include sales of the regular RX – a direct rival to the Nautilus – as well as those of the RX L, which is a three-row model that competes more directly with the Lincoln Aviator.

Sales Numbers - Lexus RX Family vs. Lincoln Nautilus & Aviator - Q3 2020 - USA

MODEL Q3 20 / Q3 19 Q3 20 Q3 19 Q3 20 SHARE Q3 19 SHARE YTD 20 / YTD 19 YTD 20 YTD 19
LINCOLN NAUTILUS -27.52% 5,771 7,962 14% 21% -33.07% 16,052 23,984
LINCOLN AVIATOR +222.17% 6,118 1,899 15% 5% +732.02% 15,800 1,899
LEXUS RX +1.13% 28,425 28,109 71% 74% -13.02% 66,251 76,170
TOTAL +6.17% 40,314 37,970 -3.87% 98,103 102,053

Adding Nautilus and Aviator sales nets Lincoln 11,889 combined deliveries, which is 16,536 units less than the Lexus RX. Incidentally, the Nautilus was the only model in this competitive set to see a decrease in sales, whereas Aviator and RX managed to post increases in sales volume during the quarter.

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The Ford Authority Take

After a strong performance throughout the 2019 calendar year, the Nautilus’ sales performance in the first half of 2020 fell substantially as a result of negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in Ford idling production across the Americas. This trend appears to have continued for the model during the third quarter of 2020.

Other potential factors that may have contributed to lackluster Lincoln Nautilus sales during Q3 2020 include:

  1. Sub-par Nautilus inventory at the retail (dealer level).
  2. More desirable product offerings from competitors, including substantially newer offerings from Infiniti and BMW.
  3. Better purchase or lease incentives offered by competitors, including higher residual values for lease customers.

We remain interested in seeing how Lincoln Nautilus sales fare once inventory normalizes, and once the luxury marque launches the rumored Nautilus refresh.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Lincoln Nautilus and MKX sales for Q3 2019
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2020 and 76 selling days in Q3 2019
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
Ford Motor Company Q3 2020 sales reports:

Lincoln Nautilus Photos
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Written by Francisco Cruz

Frankie's first favorite car was a 1968 Ford Mustang, and he's had a strong appreciation for the nameplate ever since. Later in his youth he became infatuated with Eleanor, thanks to Nicholas Cage's stellar performance.

Frank's a real jokester, too.

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One Comment

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  1. I hope the refresh is on the way for early 2021; it’s much needed. The “refresh” from the MKX to Nautilus was mostly a nose job and nameplates. It’s an excellent vehicle but the interior now looks pretty pedestrian compared with the other three Lincoln SUV’s.

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