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.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAUTILUS | -27.52% | 5,771 | 7,962 | -33.07% | 16,052 | 23,984 |
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAUTILUS | -34.93% | 639 | 982 | -50.94% | 1,302 | 2,654 |
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.
| 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 |
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAUTILUS | -84.33% | 47 | 300 | +2.22% | 461 | 451 |
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.
| 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.
| 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.
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:
We remain interested in seeing how Lincoln Nautilus sales fare once inventory normalizes, and once the luxury marque launches the rumored Nautilus refresh.
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View Comments
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.