What is a car? Luxury or vehicle? In fact, this topic can be argued ad infinitum. But the fact remains. Even despite the crisis, people are buying expensive cars Moreover, the number of sales is only growing.
How can one explain such popularity of premium cars? In fact, everything is quite simple. People want to keep their money from inflation and invest it in luxury goods. The main advantage of cars from the business category is that they lose little in price over time.
Moreover, really expensive cars can even add, and we are not talking about the ruble equivalent, but about the dollar. Some premium or business cars turn into classics over the years, and as there are fewer working models, collectors begin to look for them all over the world. As a result, the price goes up.
If you look at a business class car as a profitable investment, then you should not forget about right conditions storage and care. You can’t just put a car from the premium category in the garage. Care must be taken to periodically maintenance.
Business group cars are purchased not only for the sake of profitable investment funds. These cars are really good. In them, the driver feels like a real king. A bunch of additional features and systems allows you to get real driving pleasure. Not only that, the interior is designed to provide maximum comfort.
Not surprisingly, for premium cars, a private driver is most often hired. The owner simply sits in the back and conducts business conversations, writes reports, or simply watches the view from the window.
A bit of history
An interesting fact is that at first, not all cars were serviced under warranty in the event of a breakdown. Only premium class cars had such an opportunity.
Now leading automotive companies went much further. They decided to provide maintenance services even if the car breaks down somewhere in the middle of the road. The founders of such a service are three companies:
- Audi.
Attention! Each of the above brands is a legend in the world of cars. Their cars are famous for their reliability, handling and dynamic performance.
No wonder the rivalry among these three monsters automotive market only grows. It was the desire to be better than the rest that prompted these companies to take such an unusual course as providing services right on the road. To understand their motivation, you need to look deep into the issue.
With their service, they seem to say: “We are so confident in our premium cars ready to serve them anywhere and anytime if they break down.” It is worth recognizing that such a commodity policy is producing results. Sales of companies in the business segment are only growing.
In addition, anything can happen on the road, and it happens that an oversight or carelessness of another driver leads to the fact that the car cannot move without outside help. In this case, the company's specialists, upon request, go to the scene of the incident to carry out repair work there or take the car to service center.
Important! During the repair of a car from the premium segment, the driver receives another car.
As you can see, for people who are willing to pay good money for their four-wheeled friend, there are many services available that bring the level of car comfort to a qualitatively different level.
The agony of choice
The premium car market is really wide. Cars can have different lengths, unimaginable shapes and engines, the power of which is breathtaking. It is very important not to get lost among all this magnificence.
How to classify a business class car
Before you buy a premium series car, you need to understand whether it belongs to this category. To understand this, you need to look at the question from the manufacturers side. They make business class cars in order to provide customers with the highest possible comfort.
The main thing in a premium segment car is the impression that a person gets when looking at the car. One of her appearance should inspire respect and awe. There can be no cheap materials inside the cabin: genuine leather, real wood and unique elements that are unique to this series.
You can not ignore the electronic filling. Modern machines premium cars should be able to park themselves, warn the driver of danger while driving, and have many modes. In fact, list the possibilities electronic stuffing modern cars business segment is possible ad infinitum.
Attention! For cars from the premium class, the characters are elements that enrich the exterior of the body.
In general, if we sum up all of the above, then a car from the premium category should have:
- luxurious and spacious interior,
- many options,
- respectable appearance,
- expensive finishes.
There is one more important feature which distinguishes a business class car from all the others. This is advanced service. The specialists of the companies try to do everything possible to warranty period you feel as comfortable as possible.
Characteristics of premium cars
Let's start with external dimensions. The width of the car must be at least one meter and 80 centimeters. The length lies in the range from four and a half to five meters. But exceptions are possible. Sometimes manufacturers go to very bold experiments. Capacity can be from 4 people and more.
Important! Body type in premium cars can be completely different.
The minimum engine capacity of a premium or business class car is 2 liters. long limousines may have a volume of 5 liters or more. The minimum power is 150 Horse power.
One of the most luxurious cars in the premium segment is the Mercedes S. The volume of its engine is five liters. The car is the epitome of comfort, speed and respectability.
Lists of the most bought business class cars
General list of popular auto business segment
For many years now, a car has been in the TOP of the most popular vehicles in the business segment. The engine can have both 2.4 liters and 3.5. Power varies from 167 to 277 horsepower. The transmission can be either manual or automatic.
- another development of a company from the Land of the Rising Sun. Specifications almost identical to the previous vehicle, except that the power is slightly smaller, namely 249 hp. With. The transmission is automatic only.
Also, a sedan was able to get into the TOP of consumer preferences. His representational appearance is mesmerizing. Among interesting features of this vehicle business segment can be noted:
It's a classic that only gets better with age. Given vehicle has become a benchmark in the business segment. It is he who is preferred by directors and top managers of leading multinational companies.
It is impossible to deprive attention and Audi A6. This car the business segment can be either a sedan or a station wagon. The most modest equipment has a two-liter engine and 180 hp. With.
The top three most bought cars among newcomers to the premium segment
Not too long ago, IHS Automotive and Polk conducted an interesting study, the purpose of which was to determine the three most bought premium cars by people who previously drove cars from lower price categories.
As a result of collecting and organizing statistical data, the following list of cars was compiled:
To be honest, these data greatly surprised the researchers. Especially when you consider that the Volvo C70 is a convertible. These cars are rarely seen on the pages of glossy magazines, and advertising campaigns for their sale were not particularly loud.
The explanation for just such a choice of cars from the premium class by beginners was found quite quickly. People out of inertia tried to save money. Also, the security parameter had the largest weight among the characteristics.
As a business segment car has a relatively low cost and at the same time provides high level comfort. Of course, the quality of all components and assembly is at a high level here.
The same can be said about the Acura ILX. It's comfortable and reliable car for quite reasonable price. Despite this, it belongs to the business segment and has a representative appearance.
An interesting exception compared to other premium cars is the Volvo C70 convertible. But in reality, everything is explained quite simply. It is preferred by young successful people who do not even think about their own driver.
Results
A business class car allows you to feel the meaning of the word comfort in a completely new way. luxury seats, latest electronics and most modern systems navigation allow you to feel the exclusivity of such a car.
Also, cars from the business series have considerable dimensions, powerful engines and good systems security. It is on them that many people pay attention first of all when buying a premium class car.
in the global car market. The rating is called JD Power APEAL. The rating is based on a survey of 84,000 new car buyers who operate vehicles in the first 90 days after purchase. The survey includes 74 points of satisfaction and attractiveness.
First of all, the company uses a survey to find out the satisfaction of consumers with their purchase of a new car. Next comes the analysis of the reliability and quality of vehicles during operation. Cases of breakdowns that are associated with factory defects are also taken into account. Not the last role, of course, is played by the external attractiveness of new cars. The maximum score of 1000 points was taken as the basis. The industry average at the end of the year is 798 points.
Here is a list of the most attractive cars, according to .
1.Porsche- 874
The German luxury automaker has been named the most attractive brand for 11 consecutive years. Such amazing results were made possible thanks to models such as, and. So all three models showed the most top scores among other brands (each in its own segment). And this, despite the fact that the most famous car brand is the 911 model, which, despite the classic stunning appearance, lost in attractiveness Chevrolet car Corvette.
2.Jaguar- 855
british deluxe Jaguar brand remains in second place, ahead of the top . This was made possible thanks to new F-Type sports car and a host of other new sedans. And this is a fact. No one will deny that everything latest models The jaguar has evolved significantly into better side compared to their predecessors.
3. BMW- 854
6 Land Rover- 843
The second half of the Jaguar company occupies the sixth line in the attractiveness rating in 2015. Recall that in recent years the company has significantly updated its entire the lineup, which allows the brand to occupy high ratings.
7.Lincoln- 842
This is the best American brand in this ranking. And judging by the fact that the Lincoln Company conceded Land Rover only one point, we can conclude that the attractiveness American brand has really improved dramatically in recent years.
8. Cadillac- 838
Lincoln's main competitor is a company that, at the end of the year, could not get ahead of its eternal rival in terms of attractiveness, taking only eighth place in the ranking.
9. Infiniti- 835
Completes two Japanese luxury brands. This year company Infiniti bypassed the Lexus brand. This was made possible thanks to the victory of the QX80 in the luxury segment. full-size SUVs. For example, QX80, having received the highest score in reviews, was ahead in terms of attractiveness.
10 Lexus- 831
Completes the list of the most attractive cars in the world, despite the fact that Toyota ended the year not in the best way. So according to a survey by JD Power, the attractiveness of Toyota cars for Last year fell seriously.
In the old days, few people could boast of having a simple car by today's standards, which automatically put them on the same level as the rich. Nobody surprises today conventional means movement like a minicar or. Wealthy motorists, in order to emphasize their status, are acquiring more and more expensive models. You should pay attention to the executive class - such cars are considered elite in the field. Not every driver can afford a "luxury" model. The reason for this is cost.
Characteristics
Class F cars (Full-Size, segmentation system in Europe), as a rule, are the flagships of every developed brand. They are issued for such clients who want to show others their status in society and income. The price of one such car can be estimated in hundreds of thousands of euros. Cars of this class are often published on the covers of auto magazines, while their owners are in the world's glossy publications: officials, successful businessmen, recognized artists are wealthy people who can afford to buy and maintain such a vehicle with a personal driver.
In the production of luxury cars are used best details: valuable wood, expensive leather, advanced metals and a minimum of plastic. Many brands make such machines to order.
Considering luxury cars, you can see the trend: they are all made in a sedan. Other types of bodies are simply not in demand business people. They use cars only for personal transportation or with a few close ones - for a larger number of passengers, models are produced with extended body. One way or another, class F cars have large dimensions - a length of 5 meters, a width of 1.7 meters. This category is usually completed with the following parts:
- powerful engine for 16 valves and more with a volume of 3 liters. Such a motor is gaining a high maximum speed, reaching it in a matter of seconds;
- Automatic transmission;
- reliable protection systems -, ABS and more.
Reliability and quality are mandatory attributes of F class cars Differences from the premium category
executive class often confused or combined with the premium class, which is fundamentally wrong. The difference lies in the following: the characteristics of the second cars are noticeably lower than those of the "luxury", which allows us to call them a stripped-down version. This also affects the cost - F class is on average several times more expensive. Premium cars are more famous among the people, and a more advanced class does not need mass advertising.
Also an important difference between "luxury" is individuality. Most of these vehicles are manufactured according to the requirements of the client, which allows us to make the best for him. personal car. Premium is available in several factory configurations, and the buyer is free to choose among them.
List best models luxury lately. The most attractive and interesting
bmw 7
In 2008, this model celebrated replenishment: a new generation came out, delighting motorists with its elegant sports body over 5 meters long, 1.9 meters wide and one and a half meters high. The company also produces an elongated version - more than 5.2 meters.
Wide allows the customer to purchase the best option for him: it can be a “six” for three liters; engine with twelve cylinders, six liters with 544 horsepower or V8 in two variations - rear or all-wheel drive.
BMW 7 has the most roomy interior among all the luxury class. Vehicle electronics displays all the necessary data directly on windshield. The suspension has adjustable stiffness, and for driving in dark time day there is a function of night vision.
The aggressive profile of this car immediately makes it clear what kind of company it represents. The executive class Jaguar looks more like a sports car, but the interior in terms of comfort will give odds to many F class cars.
Model XJ has increased controllability. This achievement is possible thanks to the rejection of air suspension front. The classic spring system allows you to get the best results of maneuverability. The magnesium alloy from which the body is made wins in two directions at once: high rigidity is combined with low weight. The five-liter V8 engine allows you to gain tremendous speed in Dynamic mode.
This model is reminiscent typical cars English aristocracy. Stylish sedan has under the hood Gas engine W12 with a volume of 6 liters. Turbines increase power to 552 horsepower. enhance comfort and improve user safety. Flying Spur has split rear seats spacious interior which is entirely made from natural materials.
Being one of the most expensive cars luxury, valued at 500,000 euros or more. Characteristics of a squat body - 6 meters long, 2 wide. The 6.75-liter V12 engine is driven by an eight-speed automatic transmission, reaching speeds of up to 240 km/h. It has a capacity of 460 liters. With. The interior is made of hand-crafted leather, expensive wood and carbon fiber.
This large sedan has just begun to win the hearts of motorists, but it is moving forward with confidence. The reference model of the F-class in terms of movement with a 4.7-liter engine and 400 hp. s., which is produced by Ferrari under a special contract. From previous version The Quattoporte S also features a six-speed automatic that buyers liked better than the old Select Duo.
The model was restyled five years after production. In 2009, Phaeton has changed inside and out: one and a half meters high, 5 long and 1.9 wide (there is extended version- 5.2 meters); engine choice between FSI V16 (280 hp) and W12 (450 hp).
The Phaeton is assembled in Dresden. The process consists of many steps, some of which are manual assembly. Salon has wooden panels and leather covers High Quality. Passenger seats in the rear row are equipped with lumbar massagers and electric controls.
The concept premiered in January 2013 in Detroit, and production model in March in Geneva. As a successor to the third series, the novelty has a wider body width, a more powerful engine (to choose from between a six-cylinder with 306 hp and a four-cylinder turbocharged with 245 hp) and two variants automatic box- eight-speed base or seven-speed with two clutches.
The model was presented in 2013 at Detroit. The limousine received a V8 engine with a volume of 4.4 liters and 560 hp. With. The interior is made of high quality leather. Choice between 7-speed automatic and 6-speed manual.
It is a coupe variation of the same model, which is successfully sold all over the world. New car received a removable hard top made of carbon fiber. The body is made of the same material. An engine with 700 horsepower and a volume of 6.5 liters allows you to reach 350 km / h, gaining a "hundred" in three seconds.
The four-door model has two types: basic and tuned in atelier AMG. The second version will act as a flagship, having received a two-liter turbocharged engine from 350 l. With. and a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The coupe is equipped with a six-liter W12 engine with a capacity of 616 horsepower. 100 km/h GT Speed picks up in 4.7 seconds and top speed is 330 km/h. These figures are the highest in the industry of all time. The automatic transmission of the ZF model allows you to receive the best handling with such power.
After restyling, the model received LED head optics and row external changes. Under the hood is still one of two engines: a 4.2-liter V8 with 430 hp. With. or a 5.2-liter V10 with 525 hp. With. Max speed they, respectively, develop 300 and 314 km / h. Two transmission options to choose from: a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic preselective.
The British roadster made its first appearance at the French Motor Show. Three engines to choose from: a three-liter V6, its turbocharged counterpart (340 hp versus 380, respectively) and a five-liter V8 (495 hp).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that these cars are designed for wealthy customers. For those who like fast and comfortable travel and are ready to shell out a big sum.
The Russian car market is still in place, but many mass brands are showing sales growth this year. Despite the emerging stabilization of demand, manufacturers of premium cars are reducing sales in our country, although they have always been more resistant to crisis phenomena. Thus, according to the results of the first two months of 2017, the car sales curve as a whole went into the minus zone by 4.5%, while in the premium segment the drop was almost 2.5 times more significant. During the reporting period, Russians bought 18.2 thousand foreign premium cars, which is 10.5% lower than a year ago. As a result, their market share dropped from 10.5% to 9.8%, according to the Association. European business(AEB). According to market participants, taking into account that were offered in the first months of the coming year, some buyers preferred to purchase a mass foreign car in " full stuffing"than a premium car in the minimum configuration.
According to Aleksey Potapov, director of the sales department of the AvtoSpetsCentre Group of Companies, of course, it is not worth talking about a shift in demand for the mass market, but premium versions of mass-segment cars are gaining a certain popularity. The expert explains the decrease in sales of premium cars by the general increase in prices in the car market, however, in the premium segment, the same 5–7% are already quite significant amounts. Model upgrades lead to significant growth average cost cars: new versions are more technologically advanced and modern, moreover, they are equipped, so they are much more expensive than their predecessors. In addition, at the beginning of the year premium brands there were some difficulties with the availability of certain models and trim levels, which are on this moment eliminated.
As Pavel Filippov, head of the sales department of the AC Belyaevo of the Avtorus Group of Companies, notes, the premium segment car market has sagged less than average in recent years. This is due, among other things, to the fact that the increase in car prices did not occur at once, but gradually and in combination with strong dumping due to initially overpriced plans.
“Often, some premium-class models overlapped in price with mid-range models, which in turn led to a redistribution of the client flow in favor of the former. In addition, due to the strong and sharp devaluation of the ruble, there was a strong drop in the foreign exchange value of premium cars and a large number of sold cars went abroad. For now, the ruble has appreciated slightly, premium car prices have risen, and the skew has disappeared. Now, against the backdrop of a decrease in the overall purchasing power, the opposite situation can be traced - the transition of the client flow to the mass segment, which, in general, is natural, ”says Pavel Filippov.
But Panavto does not see a change in demand in favor of cars in maximum trim levels and class below. The sales statistics of this Mercedes-Benz dealer show that the preferences of buyers in terms of categories and configurations of cars have remained the same.
Russia cut quotas
Nevertheless, the Stuttgart brand, although it remains the undisputed leader premium segment in the Russian car market, sales of cars with a three-beam star on the radiator grill are falling: by 23%, to 5.1 thousand units in January-February 2017. Other representatives German troika» - BMW and Audi - sold 4.1 thousand (-11%) and 2.3 thousand cars (-14%), respectively. Demand off-road vehicles Rover fell by 19% - they were chosen by 1.1 thousand people Russian buyers. Porsche car about 400 pieces were sold - 45% less than a year earlier.
Sales of premium cars in Russia (AEB data)
| brand | January February | ||
| 2017 | 2016 | Change,% | |
| mercedes benz | 5067 | 6539 | -23 |
| bmw | 4142 | 4669 | -11 |
| Lexus | 2794 | 2536 | 10 |
| Audi | 2285 | 2655 | -14 |
| Land Rover | 1115 | 1381 | -19 |
| Infiniti | 941 | 669 | 41 |
| Volvo | 427 | 360 | 19 |
| Porsche | 392 | 719 | -45 |
| Jaguar | 342 | 101 | 239 |
| Jeep | 222 | 223 | 0 |
| Cadillac | 190 | 138 | 38 |
| Mini | 173 | 174 | -1 |
| smart | 50 | 24 | 108 |
| Genesis | 16 | 0 | - |
| Chrysler | 0 | 8 | |
| Alfa Romeo | 0 | 6 | |
| Acura | - | 80 | - |
| Total | 18 156 | 20 282 | -10,5 |
| Market share | 9,8% | 10,5% | |
Based on the first two months of the year, it is impossible to draw a conclusion about general market trends: a significant part of premium models is supplied from abroad, and the delivery time can be up to three to four months or more, says Vladimir Miroshnikov, Rolf Development Director. In addition, quotas allocated for Russia are a limiting factor in premium sales.
Eg, Volvo factories today are overloaded with orders, and in the current economic realities than ours. Therefore, in the face of a shortage of production, it is difficult for the Russian office of Volvo to obtain a sufficient quota of cars for Russia to cover the existing demand. Significantly, last year swedish brand could be implemented in our country more by 2-3 thousand cars, which, in fact, were not enough for a positive result at the end of the year. However, in 2017, the company expects an increase in the quota, despite the existing production restrictions, and, accordingly, an increase in sales, which will be partly facilitated by the launch of the flagship S90 sedan and station wagon. off-road V90 Cross Country.
Dumping no longer saves
According to Pavel Filippov, sales growth in the premium segment should not be expected in the coming years, and the only way to maintain the profitability of the dealer network is to reduce sales volumes and create an artificial deficit, returning to the sales volumes of 2006-2007. “Now the demand for this segment is much lower than the supply, and dumping, in fact, is the only, albeit artificial, way to maintain volumes. But as the practice of the first two months shows, this method no longer brings the desired results, ”the expert states.
However, some premium brands have started this year quite well, showing strong sales growth on Russian market. First of all, this Japanese Lexus, which last year entered the top three leaders in the premium segment in our country and in 2017 is only strengthening its position. According to the results of January-February Russian dealers brands increased sales by 10% to 2.8 thousand vehicles, and the growth drivers were RX and NX crossovers. Its "compatriots" from Infiniti sold more than 940 cars in two months of this year, which is 41% more than last year. Most wanted the Russians use updated crossover QX50, QX70 SUV, and Q50 sedan. Swedish Volvo has recorded about 430 cars sold in Russia (+19%), and the main box office of the brand is made by the XC90 SUV and XC60 crossover. The best dynamics sales shows british jaguar, the sale of 340 cars of which provided a 3.4-fold increase. This was largely facilitated by the launch last year of the Jaguar XF business sedan of the new generation, the appearance sports SUV Jaguar F-Pace, as well as the start of sales of the all-wheel drive modification Jaguar XE.
“Lexus makes its entire sales volume on three models, two of which are new, whose style appealed to buyers. Sales of Infiniti low in themselves, and could help them. At Volvo, the main volume-forming model is the XC60, which, despite its advanced age, remains very favorable in terms of price / quality ratio and is now even more affordable than some competitors from the mass segments. Jaguar is sold in very small quantities, and due to a single new F-Pace model, the sales volume can increase significantly,” Pavel Filippov comments.
In the US, they named the brands whose cars break down the least. American research company J.D. Power has published a ranking of the most reliable car brands.
The experts analyzed the reliability of the 2017 models. The study covers more than 30 brands. You can see its results in our material:.
What can I say, if Jeremy Clarkson himself praised Volvo in a recent test drive, which you can find. The only thing that the British journalist was dissatisfied with was the engine. diesel engine did not impress the legendary presenter.
Only three breakdowns were found less in Land Rover. Actually, why be surprised: the British brand is part of the same holding with Jaguar, which, in turn, belongs to the Indians. Accordingly, the quality of the two brands is approximately the same.
Audi closes the top five premium outsiders with 115 breakdowns per 100 cars.
The most trusted premium brands
Genesis tops the list of luxury reliability leaders. This is a premium unit. Korean Hyundai, which was founded in 2015 specifically to produce exclusively expensive models. Genesis has 77 breakdowns per 100 cars.
In second place is Porsche. And although the company is related to Audi (both brands are part of the Volkswagen group), Porsche cars break down much less often: Americans counted 78 breakdowns per 100 Porsches.
The third place belongs to BMW. Bavarian cars have 10 more cars than their Porsche counterparts. The most reliable "boomers" were recognized as BMW 2 Series, BMW 4 Series and BMW X6.
In fourth place is Lincoln, which counted 92 breakdowns per 100 cars.
The top five is closed by another American - Buick - with 95 breakdowns per hundred cars.
TOP-10 reliable premium car brands
Based on the results of a study of models in 2017.
| № | brand | Breakdowns* |
| 1 | Genesis | 77 |
| 2 | Porsche | 78 |
| 3 | bmw | 88 |
| 4 | Lincoln | 92 |
| 5 | Buick | 95 |
| 6 | Lexus | 98 |
| 7 | Chrysler | 102 |
| 8 | Mercedes | 102 |
| 9 | Acura | 103 |
| 10 | Cadillac | 105 |
*Number of breakdowns per 100 vehicles.
