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The term '''luxury vehicle''' is a '''marketing term''' intended to suggest a more prestigious, more expensive or more completely outfitted vehicle.
[[Image:Luxury Car 2.jpg|thumb|250px|A contemporary [[Lincoln Town Car]], an example of the "traditional" luxury car design.<ref name="Kelly Blue Book, Lincoln Town Car, example of a luxury car">{{cite web|url=http://www.kbb.com/kbb/Selection/ZipCode.aspx|title=Kelly Blue Book, Lincoln Town Car, example of a luxury car|accessdate=2007-01-13}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Duesenberg.jpg|thumb|250px|1929 [[Duesenberg]] J 350 Willoughby on display at the [[2005 United States Grand Prix]], a classic luxury car.]]


The term "luxury vehicle" '''is''':
The term '''luxury vehicle''' is a '''marketing term''' suggesting a more prestigious, more expensive or more completely outfitted vehicle. Nontheless, the term "luxury" is vague, unquantifiable, and relative, any manufacturer at any time can call any vehicle a "luxury" vehicle.
* vague
* highly variable
* unquantifiable
* subjective
* relative


The term "luxury vehicle" '''is not''':
==General definition (American market)==
* official
{{weasel}}
* standarized
While defining what constitutes a "luxury car" is subjective, guidelines such as price, design, comfort, and prestige can be used to help define the term. Luxury cars also offer a higher degree of comfort than their mainstream counterparts as well as a highly sumptuous interior with a strong emphasis on design and beauty. Features such as interior leather and polished "woodgrain-look" dashboards are common amenities.<ref name="high">[http://www.car.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/2/article_id_int/773 High-End and Mid-level Luxury Definition]</ref> Luxury cars typically carry [[prestige]], which means the allure that the car carries. Some automakers develop luxury or [[halo vehicle]]s from their [[Production vehicle|mass production]] models by [[product differentiation]], effective [[marketing mix]] modifications (particularly by charging a higher price for relatively minor changes and use of more up-market [[advertising]]), and buyer driven [[market segment]]ation through product placement. As a result, "luxury" is sometimes only in the perception of the consumers.<ref name="mubs.mdx.ac.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mubs.mdx.ac.uk/Research/Discussion_Papers/Marketing/dpap_mkt_no1.pdf|title=Consumer Behaviour of Luxury Automobiles:A Comparative Study between Thai and UK Customers’ Perceptions|accessdate=2008-01-28|work=mubs.mdx.ac.uk}}</ref>
* agreed upon
* objective
* related to a vehicles class, size or price


Any manufacturer at any time can call any vehicle a "luxury" vehicle.
In the 2000s, defining "luxury car" is more difficult, because many vehicles such as the [[GMC Yukon]] or the [[Chevrolet Suburban]] are moderately expensive, yet they do not have many of the amenities of other luxury vehicles. As well, there are vehicles with luxury car-like prestige and/or pricing that do not offer the degree of comfort required for them to actually be considered luxury vehicles, such as the [[Hummer H1]], the [[Chevrolet Corvette]] and the [[Dodge Viper]].<ref>All three vehicles have base MSRPs of above $36,000 and the Hummer H1 is made by a company whose entire lineup, with exception of the [[Hummer H3]], features base MSRPs in excess of $50,000. Yet all three lack the comfort needed to make them luxury vehicles.</ref>
The term may be used widely, but has no accepted definition and may be [[Conflation|conflated]] with a vehicle's type, price, size, equipment or other classification.


Furthermore, there is no independent and reliable third-party that publishes definitions of the term "luxury vehicle," it is not a legal term, nor is it a classification that exists on which manufacturers agree.
Many high priced prestige vehicles, such as the [[Porsche 911]], [[Alfa Romeo GTV]], most [[Ferrari]]s and many [[Lamborghini]]s are classed as luxury vehicles, when they lack many of the amenities of typical luxury vehicles and are better fitted to be called exotic (with the exception of the Porsche). Other vehicles, such as the [[Mercury Grand Marquis]], are not considered to be luxury vehicles due to their relatively low [[suggested retail price]]s (MSRPs), despite their numerous in-cabin comfort features.


By contrast, Size classifications vary internationally, meet specific criteria and qualifications, and are used in categorizing vehicles for emissions testing, safety testing, and often for licensing and taxation purposes.
==European definition==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=September 2007}}
In the [[European Union]], different classifications are sometimes used than in the United States. While most luxury cars are considered luxury cars in both Europe and the U.S., the entry-level segment is not. Classification within "luxury cars" is more precise when considering the vehicle's size.


===Manufacturers===
Manufacturers are classified in many groups, but they do not have specific names. Car fans argue on whether a certain brand can be compared with another one or not, even in the same country or region.

[[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]], [[BMW]], and [[Mercedes-Benz]] are the traditional ''luxury manufacturers'', but manufacturers such as [[Saab]], [[Audi]] and [[Volvo Cars|Volvo]] are now considered by many to fall into this category. [[Lexus]] has met with limited but growing success across Europe even though it is a top selling luxury carmaker in the United States.<sup>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4764748.stm]</sup> At the top end of the spectrum, [[Bentley]], [[Maybach]], and [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls Royce]] are generally considered more prestigious than any other luxury car brands

Sports car manufacturers are usually considered apart (and distinguished by their exclusivity, mainly by their production numbers), although some of them produce ''luxury sports cars'' (mainly [[grand tourer]]s), such as [[Aston Martin]], [[Porsche]], and [[Maserati]]). Such sports cars are also known as "performance cars" that are designed to emphasize performance before luxury.

[[Kaiser Jeep]] created the luxury [[four-wheel drive]] category in 1966 [[Jeep Wagoneer|Super Wagoneer]] (first SUV to offer a V8 engine, automatic transmission, as well as all the luxury features and appointments) continuing through the segment leading Wagoneer Limited models.

===Segments===
Current '''[[compact executive car]]s''' (''Mittelklasse'' in German) are cars between {{convert|4.50|m|in|1}} and {{convert|4.65|m|in|1}} long, and equivalent of entry-level luxury cars in the United States. Generally speaking, the lower price range is approximately € 25,000 up to € 45,000. This includes vehicles such as the [[Cadillac BLS]], [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class]], [[Alfa Romeo 159]], [[Audi A4]], [[BMW 3 Series]], [[Jaguar X-Type]], [[Lexus IS]], [[Volvo S40]] and [[Saab 9-3]], as well as the [[Acura TL]] and [[Infiniti G35]] and in the U.S.

'''[[Executive car]]s''' (German: ''Obere Mittelklasse''; French: ''Grandes Routières'') are usually between {{convert|4.75|m|in|1}} and {{convert|4.90|m|in|1}} long, with prices between € 40,000 and € 60,000. They are similar to the mid-level luxury cars in the United States; examples are the [[Alfa Romeo 166]], [[Audi A6]], [[BMW 5 Series]], [[Cadillac CTS]], [[Citroën C6]], [[Jaguar XF]], [[Lancia Thesis]], [[Lexus GS]], [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class]], [[Saab 9-5]], [[Volvo S60]], and [[Volvo S80]]. Some 4x4s which would fit this category are the [[Land Rover Discovery]] (predecessor to the [[Land Rover LR3]]) and the [[Lexus RX]].

Cars above {{convert|5.00|m|in|1}} are simply called '''luxury cars''' in the United Kingdom, or "Oberklasse" in Germany, and have a price above starting in the € 70,000 range as well as a length commonly exceeding five meters. Luxury cars include the [[Audi A8]], [[Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)|Bentley Continental Flying Spur]], [[BMW 7 Series]], [[Cadillac STS]], [[Jaguar XJ]], [[Maserati Quattroporte]], [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class]] and [[Lexus LS]]. Similarly priced 4x4s are the [[Land Rover Range Rover]], [[Range Rover Sport]] and [[Porsche Cayenne]]. In the U.S. the [[Lincoln Navigator]], [[Cadillac Escalade]], [[Infiniti QX56]] and SUVs such as the [[Mercedes-Benz GL-Class]], [[Audi Q7]], and the [[Volvo XC90]]. The [[BMW X5]] is also included in this category.

==Luxury market segments (for American cars)==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=March 2008}}
{{weasel}}
''Note that the following classifications of cars does not include certain packages that come with the car that might raise the car into a higher level. For example, the average [[Cadillac CTS]] sells in the "entry level" category. But the CTS-V is certainly part of the mid-level category. Also, vehicles such as the [[Lincoln Town Car]] feature an interior as plush and luxurious as that of the [[BMW 7 Series]], [[Lexus LS]], or [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class]] yet is classified as mid-luxury due to its relatively low MSRP.''
<br clear=all>
{| class="toccolours" align="center"
|align="center" colspan="81"|'''Luxury Car Segments, according to MSRP'''
|-
|align=center rowspan=2 bgcolor=#F0F0F0|'''Price'''
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$15k — $20k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$20k — $30k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$30k — $40k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$40k — $50k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$50k — $60k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$60k — $70k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$70k — $80k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$80k — $90k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$90k — $100k
|align=center colspan=10 width=10% bgcolor=#F0F0F0|$100k or more
|- bgcolor=#F0F0F0
|||||||||||||||||||
||||||||||||||||||
||$29k|||||||||||||||||$38k||
|||$40k||||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||||
|$60k||||||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||||||
|$100k|
|- align=center
|bgcolor=#F0F0F0| Luxury car manufacturers
|colspan=19 bgcolor=#C0C0C0|
|colspan=11 bgcolor=#C0C0C0| Entry-level
|colspan=20 bgcolor=#C0C0C0| Mid-level
|colspan=40 bgcolor=#C0C0C0| High-end
|colspan=1 bgcolor=#C0C0C0| Ultra
|}


===Entry-level luxury===
{{weasel}}
[[Image:Mercedes-Benz C 200 -W204- ja-1.jpg|thumb|200px|The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an entry-level luxury sedan.]]

The entry-level luxury forms the beginning classification of the luxury vehicles; competition in this segment is typically fierce. It features vehicles with an MSRP approximately between $26,000 and $36,000 (though with options, particularly on the [[BMW 3 Series]] and [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class]]. These cars can creep well into the $40,000 to $60,000 range). These cars give a relatively high degree of comfort is manufactured by luxury brand. If the vehicle is manufactured by a non-luxury marque its base MSRP should exceed approximately $36k and it must place an emphasis on comfort. The equivalent classification in Britain is [[compact executive car]].

This segment mostly includes the bottom vehicles in the line-up of luxury brands as well as the top-of-the-line models of some non-luxury brands. Vehicles in this segment include the [[Acura TSX]], [[Acura TL]], [[Buick Lucerne]], [[BMW 3 Series]], [[Cadillac CTS]], [[Chrysler 300]], [[Mercury Grand Marquis]], [[Lexus IS]], [[Lexus ES]], [[Audi A4]], [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class]], [[Infiniti G35]], [[Lincoln MKZ]], [[Volvo S40]], [[Volvo S60]], [[Volvo V50]], [[Saab 9-3]], and the [[Jaguar X-Type]].

===Mid-luxury segment===
[[Image:2nd-Infiniti-M.jpg|200px|Infiniti M, a mid-luxury vehicle|thumb]]
{{weasel}}

In order to be considered part of the middle-luxury segment, a vehicle should feature a base MSRP between approximately $36k
and $60k<ref name="high">[http://www.car.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/2/article_id_int/773 High-End and Mid-level Luxury Definition]</ref>, have a very high degree of comfort, and should have the latest or near latest technological and safety innovations. Customers in this segment also yield ''some'' priority to performance. Therefore, many car manufacturers produce these cars with [[V8 engine|V8]]s and some highly sophisticated 6-cylinder engines. In Britain, these models are commonly referred to as [[executive car]]s.
Vehicles in this segment include the mid-range models of several luxury car manufacturers such as the [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class]], [[BMW 5 Series]], [[Holden Caprice]], [[Holden Statesman]], [[Audi A6]], [[Saab 9-5]], [[Lexus GS]], [[Infiniti M]] and [[Jaguar S-Type]]/[[Jaguar XF|XF]]. There are also some [[flagship vehicles|flagship sedans]] in this segment. The [[Citroën C6]], [[Cadillac DTS]], [[Chrysler 300|Chrysler 300C]], [[Lincoln Town Car]], [[Peugeot 607]], [[Renault Vel Satis]], [[Volvo S80]], and [[Acura RL]] are all considered to be part of the mid-luxury segment due to their relatively low base MSRPs despite their rank as a "flagship sedan" and high-end like interiors.

This market is operated under western nameplates with some Japanese representation. It is mainly controlled by Germans, Americans, and Japanese.

===High-end luxury segment===
{{weasel}}
[[Image:Lexus LS460 01.JPG|200px|thumb|
|align="right"|Lexus LS, a high-end luxury car.]]

This category includes many flagship vehicles of luxury brands such as the BMW 7-Series, Cadillac STS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or Lexus LS. Currently, all vehicles priced between the range of $60k and $100k are a part of this exclusive club.<ref name="high" /> The vehicles in this segment offer extremely high levels of quality and latest technological developments, as well as degrees of comfort at least equal to those found in mid-level luxury vehicles. There is no precise term in the United Kingdom; such a car would be simply called a luxury car.

Vehicles in this category include some of the models from the flagship lines of luxury car brands. Vehicles in this segment include the [[Lexus LS]], [[Cadillac STS]], [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class]], [[BMW 7 Series]], [[Audi A8]], and the [[Jaguar XJ]]. Mercedes' [[E-Class]] based [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]] is also in this segment. The [[Volkswagen Phaeton]] is the only high-end luxury vehicle that is ''not'' sold under a luxury nameplate. The Phaeton is no longer sold in the [[United States]] due to low consumer demand, as many consumers were unwilling to spend upwards of [[USD|US]]70,000 for a non-luxury nameplate.

This segment is operated under various German and British marques, with some limited Japanese and American nameplates.

===Ultra-luxury segment===
{{weasel}}
[[Image:Maybach 62 BMK.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Maybach 62]], an ultra-luxury automobile.]]

Currently, all cars in the ultra-luxury segment are priced at approximately $100k or higher, however the category also contains lower-level luxury cars with optional engine choices. <ref>[http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=2900 Ultra Luxury Definition]</ref> They may or may not be better in quality and refinement than some of the more affordable luxury cars, but due to their high MSRP, they guarantee exclusivity and help to get their owners noticed. This segment includes the entire lineup of [[Rolls-Royce car|Rolls Royce]], [[Bentley Motors Limited|Bentley]], [[Maserati]], [[Aston Martin]] and [[Maybach]]. Many "flagship sedans" from car companies whose average car sells in a lower class are actually in this category. For example, vehicles such as the [[Mercedes-Benz S-Class|Mercedes-Benz S600]], [[Cadillac XLR-V]], [[BMW 7 Series|BMW 760Li]], [[Lexus LS#LS 600h / LS 600h L|Lexus LS600hL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/16/business/Lexus.php|title=Lexus enters ultra-luxury arena|date=2006-04-17|publisher=[[International Herald Tribune]]|last=Maynard|first=Micheline |accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=120486
|title=Full Test: 2008 Lexus LS 600h L, ultraluxury class|date=2007-04-19|publisher=Edmunds |last=Pearley Huffman|first=John|accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref>, [[Volkswagen Phaeton|Volkswagen Phaeton W12]] or the W12 version of the [[Audi A8]] can be included in this category.

This category is operated mostly by European nameplates and controlled mainly by British and German marques.

===Luxury SUVs===
{{weasel}}
{{main|Luxury SUV}}
[[Image:Land Rover Ranger Rover.jpg|200px|thumb|The Range Rover, a high-end luxury SUV.]]

A luxury SUV much like a luxury car is a relatively expensive vehicle that features a higher emphasis on comfort and quality than its mainstream counterparts. Even though luxury SUVs do not necessarily feature more comfort or a higher quality than sedans, they tend to be more expensive than luxury sedans. The top-of-the-line SUVs of American and Japanese luxury car makers can out price their flagship sedans. The flagship SUV [[Lincoln Navigator]], for example, has a base [[suggested retail price]] (MSRP) of approximately [[United States dollar|US$]]46,850, versus $45,915 for the flagship [[Lincoln Town Car]]. This scenario, however, does not hold true for European automakers, where the flagship sedans are still priced above the top-of-the-line SUV.

Luxury SUV can be classified into similar segment as luxury cars.
*'''Entry-level''' luxury SUVs must feature a base MSP of approximately over $38k and offer a high degree of comfort. A vehicle may however still be considered a luxury SUV if its base MSP lies in excess of approximately $29K and it is manufactured by a luxury car manufacturer. Vehicles in this category include the [[Acura RDX]], [[Lexus RX350]], [[Infiniti EX]], [[Audi Q5]], [[Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class]], [[BMW X3]], [[Volvo XC60]], [[Saab 9-7X]], [[Land Rover Freelander]], and the [[Lincoln MKX]].
*'''Mid-level''' luxury SUVs feature base MSPs ranging approximately between $40K to $60K. Vehicles in this category include the [[Acura MDX]], [[BMW X5]], [[Audi Q7]], [[Mercedes-Benz M-Class]], [[Volvo XC90]], [[Saab 9-7X]], [[Land Rover LR3]], [[Land Rover Range Rover Sport]], [[Lexus RX400h]], [[Lexus GX]], and [[Volkswagen Touareg]].
*'''High-end''' luxury SUVs feature base MSPs from approximately $60k to $100k. Vehicles in this category include the [[Cadillac Escalade]], [[Lincoln Navigator]], [[Infiniti QX56]], [[Porsche Cayenne]], [[Mercedes-Benz G-Class]], [[Mercedes-Benz GL-Class]], [[Lexus LX]], and [[Land Rover Range Rover]].

===Luxury crossover SUVs===

[[Image:Mercedes-Benz R-Class.jpg|200px|right|thumb|[[Mercedes-Benz R-Class]]]]

Crossover luxury vehicles are between 60–70 inches in height and generally more affordable than traditional luxury SUVs (70 inches and over in height) and feature a base MSRP from approximately $30k to $42k. Since they are crossover vehicles, they tend to be smaller than SUVs and feature sedan-like design features. Vehicles in this category include the [[Lexus RX]], [[Lincoln MKX]], [[Volvo XC60]], [[Volvo XC90]], [[BMW X5]], [[Audi Q7]], [[Infiniti FX]], [[Infiniti EX]], [[Buick Enclave]], [[Cadillac SRX]], and the [[Mercedes-Benz R-Class]].

===Luxury pickup trucks===
{{weasel}}
[[Image:Mark LT.JPG|200px|thumb| Lincoln Mark LT]]

In the early 2000s, the two main American luxury manufacturers, Lincoln and Cadillac, started the luxury [[pickup truck]] segment. The first luxury pickup to enter the scene was the [[Lincoln Blackwood]], first announced in 1999 and put into production in 2002. Less than 4,000 Lincoln Blackwoods were sold, and even those that were sold were sold mainly with the help of heavy incentives. As of 2007, several luxury pickup trucks are on the market, like the [[Lincoln Mark LT]] and the [[Cadillac Escalade|Cadillac Escalade EXT]].

==Canadian definition==
The Canadian market follows the American models of luxury segments. However, the price segments can differ from U.S. counterparts.

For vehicles such as [[smart fortwo]], although the base model costs more than the 4/5-door subcompact or compact cars (in some cases, even compact cars loaded with factory options) for the same market, and was sold through luxury brand dealers, are not commonly regarded as luxury vehicles.

===Entry-level luxury===
The low end record for this segment is held by the 2007 [[Acura CSX]], which has the base MSRP of [[Canadian_dollar | CAD]]$26,990.

==Luxury car manufacturers==
Using the same American definition outlined above, if a car manufacturer's average MSP of all vehicles sold is greater than $36,000, then it is a luxury car manufacturer. While this definition is based on American market MSPs, it can be used globally to identify luxury marques. Vehicle manufactures can also be deemed luxury by the luxurious qualities of their cars and not just the price (as in with [[Chrysler (division)|Chrysler]], whose goal is to “provide luxury cars at affordable family prices”). Luxury cars emphasize comfort, technology, and features. Performance cars, though generally are categorized as luxury due to their prices, emphasize performance and speed.

===Current luxury car manufacturers===
These are luxury car manufacturers whose models are currently on the market.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
* [[Acura]]
* [[Alfa Romeo]]
* [[Audi]]
* [[Aston Martin]]
* [[Bentley Motors Limited|Bentley]]
* [[BMW]]
* [[Bugatti]]
* [[Buick]]
* [[Cadillac (automobile)|Cadillac]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Chrysler (division)|Chrysler]]
* [[Ferrari]]
* [[Infiniti]]
* [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] (includes [[Daimler Motor Company|Daimler]])
* [[Koenigsegg]]
* [[Lamborghini]]
* [[Lancia]]
* [[Land Rover]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Lexus]]
* [[Lincoln (automobile)|Lincoln]]
* [[Maserati]]
* [[Maybach]]
* [[Mercedes-Benz]]
* [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]]
* [[Morgan Motor Company|Morgan]]
* [[Pagani]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Porsche]]
* [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce]]
* [[Russo-Balt]]
* [[Saab Automobile|Saab]]
* [[Spyker Cars]]
* [[Volvo Cars]]
{{col-end}}

===Past luxury car manufacturers===
These are luxury car brands that used to exist but have since been either bought up or disappeared from the market due to bankruptcy.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
* [[Alvis Cars|Alvis]]
* [[Armstrong Siddeley]]
* [[Autovia]]
* [[Borgward]]
* [[Chaika (car)|Chaika]]
* [[Delage]]
* [[Duesenberg]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Facel Vega]]
* [[Hispano-Suiza]]
* [[Horch]]
* [[Humber (car)|Humber]]
* [[Imperial (automobile)|Imperial]]
* [[Isotta-Fraschini]]
* [[LaFayette Motors|LaFayette]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Lagonda|Lagonda]]
* [[Locomobile]]
* [[Marmon]]
* [[Minerva automobile|Minerva]]
* [[Oldsmobile]]
* [[Packard]]
* [[Peerless]]
* [[Pierce-Arrow]]
{{col-break}}
* [[Riley]]
* [[Rover (car)|Rover]]
* [[Stanley Steamer]]
* [[Stutz Motor Company|Stutz]]
* [[Tatra cars|Tatra]]
* [[Vanden Plas| Vanden Plas]]
* [[Avions Voisin|Voisin]]
{{col-break}}
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{commons|Luxury car}}
*[[Luxury SUV]]
*[[Personal luxury car]]
*[[Halo vehicle]]




[[Category:Car classifications]]
[[Category:Car classifications]]
[[Category:Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers|*]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles|*]]

[[de:Oberklasse]]
[[de:Oberklasse]]
[[nl:Topklasse]]
[[nl:Topklasse]]

Revision as of 12:24, 15 April 2008

The term luxury vehicle is a marketing term intended to suggest a more prestigious, more expensive or more completely outfitted vehicle.

The term "luxury vehicle" is:

  • vague
  • highly variable
  • unquantifiable
  • subjective
  • relative

The term "luxury vehicle" is not:

  • official
  • standarized
  • agreed upon
  • objective
  • related to a vehicles class, size or price

Any manufacturer at any time can call any vehicle a "luxury" vehicle. The term may be used widely, but has no accepted definition and may be conflated with a vehicle's type, price, size, equipment or other classification.

Furthermore, there is no independent and reliable third-party that publishes definitions of the term "luxury vehicle," it is not a legal term, nor is it a classification that exists on which manufacturers agree.

By contrast, Size classifications vary internationally, meet specific criteria and qualifications, and are used in categorizing vehicles for emissions testing, safety testing, and often for licensing and taxation purposes.


References

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