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Lincoln Sales Trail Cadillac By 12,615 Units During Q2 2021

While the Ford vs. Chevrolet rivalry covers the mainstream segment, the battle for the luxury space is between Lincoln and Cadillac. During the second quarter of 2021, Ford’s luxury brand sold less than its crosstown rival.

During the Q2 2021 timeframe, total Lincoln brand sales grew nearly 11 percent to 23,514 units. Meanwhile, Cadillac sales in the U.S. market grew over 55 percent to 36,129 units.

Sales Results - Q2 2021 - USA - Lincoln

MODELQ2 2021 / Q2 2020Q2 2021Q2 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021YTD 2020
AVIATOR+43.68% 5,7704,016+22.45%11,856 9,682
CONTINENTAL-50.10% 5051,012-50.56%1,273 2,575
CORSAIR+10.93% 6,3935,763+21.32%13,507 11,133
MKZ-86.77% 3952,985-74.75%1,633 6,467
NAUTILUS+20.23% 6,0555,036+11.15%11,427 10,281
NAVIGATOR+59.91% 4,3962,749+40.35%9,228 6,575
LINCOLN TOTAL+10.49% 23,51421,281+4.44%48,924 46,842

The Cadillac Escalade was the best-selling model for GM’s luxury brand, netting 10,874 deliveries. Comparatively, the most popular Lincoln model was the Corsair with 6,393 sales during the quarter.

Sales Results - Q2 2021 - USA - Cadillac

MODELQ2 2021 / Q2 2020Q2 2021Q2 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021YTD 2020
CT4+289.68% 2,303591+680.06%4,930 632
CT5-4.82% 2,4512,575+22.42%6,825 5,575
CT6-87.39% 104825-93.29%171 2,550
CTS-38.70% 103168-50.61%162 328
ESCALADE+120.34% 10,8744,935+96.27%20,716 10,555
XT4-36.85% 2,5123,978-12.84%7,966 9,140
XT5+82.83% 10,5735,783+30.66%19,346 14,806
XT6+73.11% 7,1514,131+42.76%13,141 9,205
CADILLAC TOTAL+55.09% 36,12923,296+36.90%73,406 53,621

The Cadillac to experience the highest growth rate was the CT4 luxury sedan, moving from 591 units sold in Q2 2020 to 2,303 units in Q2 2021. That substantial jump in sales volume is the result of the CT4 having just beginning to launch during the first half of 2020 and recording small sales figures as a result. For Lincoln, the Navigator experienced the largest gain, growing nearly 60 percent to 4,396 units.

Car Sales

Cadillac outsold Lincoln in the passenger car department more than five-fold during Q2 2021.

Cadillac car sales in the U.S. market grew over 19 percent to 4,961 units, while Lincoln car sales fell nearly 78 percent to 900 units. While Cadillac sold more than five times as many cars as Lincoln, it’s worth noting that Cadillac’s current offerings just entered the market a year ago, and have yet to reach optimal inventory levels.

Sales Numbers - Lincoln Cars - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q2 21 / Q2 20 Q2 21 Q2 20 Q2 21 SHARE Q2 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
LINCOLN MKZ -86.77% 395 2,985 44% 75% -74.75% 1,633 6,467
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL -50.10% 505 1,012 56% 25% -50.56% 1,273 2,575
TOTAL -77.48% 900 3,997 -67.86% 2,906 9,042

Meanwhile, both Lincoln sedans – the MKZ and Continental – have been discontinued, resulting in an 88 percent drop in sales volume.

Sales Numbers - Cadillac Cars - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q2 21 / Q2 20 Q2 21 Q2 20 Q2 21 SHARE Q2 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CADILLAC CTS -38.70% 103 168 2% 4% -50.61% 162 328
CADILLAC CT6 -87.39% 104 825 2% 20% -93.29% 171 2,550
CADILLAC CT4 +289.68% 2,303 591 46% 14% +680.06% 4,930 632
CADILLAC CT5 -4.82% 2,451 2,575 49% 62% +22.42% 6,825 5,575
TOTAL +19.28% 4,961 4,159 +33.05% 12,088 9,085

As stated above, the CT4’s astronomical growth of nearly 300 percent is the result of very limited availability during Q2 2020 as part of its launch. Meanwhile, sales of the Cadillac CT5 fell less than 5 percent to 2,451 units.

Utility Sales

Lincoln also trailed Cadillac when it comes to utility (crossover and SUV) sales. Lincoln utility deliveries grew 29 percent to 22,614 units, while Cadillac sales increased over 65 percent to 31,110 units.

The Corsair was the most popular Lincoln model at 6,393 deliveries, followed by the Nautilus as the second-best-selling Lincoln utility with 6,055 units.

Sales Numbers - Lincoln Utilities Sales - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q2 21 / Q2 20 Q2 21 Q2 20 Q2 21 SHARE Q2 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
LINCOLN CORSAIR +10.93% 6,393 5,763 28% 33% +21.32% 13,507 11,133
LINCOLN AVIATOR +43.68% 5,770 4,016 26% 23% +22.45% 11,856 9,682
LINCOLN NAUTILUS +20.23% 6,055 5,036 27% 29% +11.15% 11,427 10,281
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR +59.91% 4,396 2,749 19% 16% +40.35% 9,228 6,575
TOTAL +28.75% 22,614 17,564 +22.16% 46,018 37,671

Meanwhile, the Escalade was Cadillac’s best-selling utility (and best-selling model overall) at 10,874 units followed by the Cadillac XT5 in second with 10,573 units.

Sales Numbers - Cadillac Utilities - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q2 21 / Q2 20 Q2 21 Q2 20 Q2 21 SHARE Q2 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CADILLAC XT4 -36.85% 2,512 3,978 8% 21% -12.84% 7,966 9,140
CADILLAC XT5 +82.83% 10,573 5,783 34% 31% +30.66% 19,346 14,806
CADILLAC XT6 +73.11% 7,151 4,131 23% 22% +42.76% 13,141 9,205
CADILLAC ESCALADE +120.34% 10,874 4,935 35% 26% +96.27% 20,716 10,555
TOTAL +65.24% 31,110 18,827 +39.96% 61,169 43,706

It’s worth noting that Lincoln sales during the quarter were depressed as a result of sub-par inventory stemming from the ongoing microchip shortage. With less-than-optimal quantities of vehicles at dealers, customers were not able to purchase the models, thereby stifling the sales figures of Ford’s luxury brand.

Overall, Lincoln sales trailed those of Cadillac by 12,615 units during the second quarter of 2021 on higher car and utility sales.

It might be worth mentioning that on an automaker basis, Ford Motor Company (Ford and Lincoln combined) also sold less than General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC combined). Specifically, GM posted 688,236 deliveries compared to Ford’s 475,327 units.

About The Numbers

Ford Motor Company Q2 2021 sales reports:

Sales News

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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Comments

  1. LINCOLN will always from now on trail CADILLAC in vehicle sales because they don’t build a Flagship Sedan. The cheapest LINCOLN sold the most it’s a over priced Escape, while CADILLAC top model sold the most Escalade why is that making a profit ? LINCOLN need to rethink the Luxury market if it’s to be a REAL PLAYER N THE GAME

    Reply
  2. Lincolns challenge is technology, packaging, and marketing. While they’re certainly nailing their interior luxury game, their products are not as compelling and differentiated in the market as they need to be.

    I’m excited for the upcoming sedan EV as that seems to take the Lincoln exterior styling to the next level. They also need to stay in the media.

    For example, a couch builders version of the Navigator with Coach doors would be incredible and could partner with other brands/artists to promote. A futuristic EV vision of a Lincoln vehicle will help generate buzz and keep Lincoln in the presses.

    Thinking outside the box like a new age Lincoln off-roader would be cool. Giving the Navigator some off-road chops would also be excellent.

    Since they’ve paired down the number of offerings, they need to continue to innovate within their nameplates. Resting on the initial buzz of their exterior styling updates will only mean a slow death.

    Reply
    1. LINCOLN hasn’t nailed anything it has No Direction at all Ford has a Mustang and FORD GT but LINCOLN CANT SALE 1 CAR LAUGHABLE

      Reply
  3. I don’t get it. I have owned 2 Cadillacs in the past, and I will never own another. The newer ones I’ve been in are cheaply appointed in the interior. I absolutely love my 2019 MKZ for its quality and luxury ride. I’m sticking with Lincoln.

    Reply
    1. What will you buy next since they don’t build MKZ which a rebadge Fusion

      Reply

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