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Lincoln Aviator Sales Rise 7 Percent During Q1 2021

By Francisco Cruz

May 4, 2021 1:27 pm

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Lincoln Aviator sales increased in the United States and in Mexico, while decreasing in Mexico during the first quarter of 2021.

Lincoln Aviator Sales - Q1 2021 - United States

In the United States, Lincoln Aviator deliveries totaled 6,086 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 7 percent compared to 5,666 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
AVIATOR +7.41% 6,086 5,666

Lincoln Aviator Sales - Q1 2021 - Canada

In Canada, Lincoln Aviator deliveries totaled 360 units in Q1 2021, an increase of about 2 percent compared to 352 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
AVIATOR +2.28% 360 352

Lincoln Aviator Sales - Q1 2021 - Mexico

In Mexico, Lincoln Aviator deliveries totaled 41 units in Q1 2021, a decrease of about 33 percent compared to 61 units sold in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 2020
AVIATOR -32.79% 41 61

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

U.S. Lincoln Aviator sales posted an increase of over 7 percent during Q1 2021, continuing to hold off its cross-town rival – the Cadillac XT6.

Sales Numbers - Luxury E-Segment Utilities - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
ACURA MDX +90.00% 16,988 8,941 19% 12%
MERCEDES-BENZ GLE-CLASS +41.23% 16,668 11,802 18% 16%
BMW X5 +19.38% 12,700 10,638 14% 14%
BMW X6 +62.91% 2,038 1,251 2% 2%
BUICK ENCLAVE +21.31% 10,617 8,752 12% 12%
VOLVO XC90 +36.91% 8,334 6,087 9% 8%
AUDI Q7 +23.78% 7,714 6,232 9% 8%
LINCOLN AVIATOR +7.41% 6,086 5,666 7% 8%
CADILLAC XT6 +18.05% 5,990 5,074 7% 7%
INFINITI QX60 -63.41% 3,315 9,061 4% 12%
TOTAL +23.05% 90,450 73,504

The segment was led by the Acura MDX in first with 16,988 units sold, followed by the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class in second with 16,668 sales. BMW took third with a cumulative 14,738 sales of the X5 and X6, followed by the Buick Enclave in fourth (see running Buick Enclave sales), the Volvo XC90 in fifth (see running Volvo XC90 sales), and the Audi Q7 in sixth (see running Audi Q7 sales). The Aviator followed in seventh (see running Lincoln Aviator sales), beating out the Cadillac XT6 in eighth (see running Cadillac XT6 sales), and Infiniti QX60 in ninth.

Sales Numbers - BMW Luxury E-Segment Utilities - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
BMW X5 +19.38% 12,700 10,638 86% 89%
BMW X6 +62.91% 2,038 1,251 14% 11%
TOTAL +23.96% 14,738 11,889

Acura led the segment with a 19 percent share – up a hefty 7 percent compared to Q1 2020 –  followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW with 18 and 16 percent, respectively. Buick took 12 percent while Volvo and Audi took 9 each. Lincoln had 7 percent, tying with Cadillac. Infiniti trailed with 4 percent.

Sales Numbers - GM Luxury E-Segment Utilities - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
BUICK ENCLAVE +21.31% 10,617 8,752 64% 63%
CADILLAC XT6 +18.05% 5,990 5,074 36% 37%
TOTAL +20.11% 16,607 13,826

It’s worth noting that combining sales of the Buick Enclave and Cadillac XT6 gives GM 16,607 deliveries for a 19 percent share, matching Acura’s segment share.

The premium/luxury three-row crossover segment (lux crossover E-segment) expanded 23 percent to 90,450 units in Q1 2021.

Sales Numbers - GM Luxury E-Segment Utilities - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20 Q1 21 SHARE Q1 20 SHARE
BUICK ENCLAVE +21.31% 10,617 8,752 64% 63%
CADILLAC XT6 +18.05% 5,990 5,074 36% 37%
TOTAL +20.11% 16,607 13,826

For the sake of presenting a clearer picture of the competitive landscape, we are providing sales figures for the Lexus RX below. The RX is a premium midsize CUV that slots into the luxury utility D segment to compete with the Lincoln Nautilus. However, the Lexus is now offered in a three-row variant called RXL, which competes with the three-row luxury models mentioned above. Since Lexus does not break out sales of the two-row RX from the three-row RXL, not all RX sales can be applied to the premium three-row CUV segment. Instead, a more apt comparison would be to bundle Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator. We’re also including Cadillac XT5 and Cadillac XT6 sales, which are direct rivals to the Nautilus and Aviator, respectively.

Sales Numbers - Lexus RX & RXL - Q1 2021 - United States

MODEL Q1 21 / Q1 20 Q1 21 Q1 20
RX +34.03% 27,941 20,847
XT5 -2.77% 8,773 9,023
XT6 +18.05% 5,990 5,074
AVIATOR +7.41% 6,086 5,666
NAUTILUS +2.42% 5,372 5,245
TOTAL +18.12% 54,162 45,855

Combining the Aviator and Nautilus nets Lincoln 11,458 deliveries, less than half the 27,941 sales recorded by the Lexus RX family. Meanwhile, Cadillac had 14,763 deliveries of the XT5 and XT6.

The Ford Authority Take

The 6,086 Lincoln Aviator sales recorded in Q1 2021 represent a healthy and steady growth rate, which is impressive for a newcomer to the segment. The performance enabled Lincoln’s luxury three-row crossover to hold its spot in the rankings in its competitive set. What’s more, Lincoln utilities posted their best retail Q1 sales in 20 years (since 2001).

So long as production and supply allow, we expect the Aviator to continue growing both in terms of sales volume and segment share in the coming quarters as a result of the following factors working in its favor:

  1. A better, more modern, and more appealing product than many rivals.
  2. Increased consumer interest in and demand for luxury utility vehicles.
  3. A stronger and more appealing Lincoln brand, resulting in higher interest in and demand for the brand’s products.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Lincoln Aviator sales for Q1 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 74 selling days in Q1 2021 and 76 selling days in Q1 2020
Ford Motor Company Q1 2021 sales reports:
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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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