> Acura
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 8.9%
Sales change from 2013: +1.5%
Promising vehicles: Redesigned TLX, NSX
U.S. models: 5
The skinny: Acura leapfrogged Cadillac and Audi to move into 4th place among luxury brands through the first 2 months of 2015. Honda's luxury brand is working to put quality woes in the rearview mirror and get some of its shine back from the coming NSX supercar.
> Audi
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 9.7%
Sales change from 2013: +15%
Promising vehicles: Q3, revamped Q7, electric R8
U.S. models: 29
The skinny: With its global reach and an aggressive product offensive aimed directly at its German rivals, Audi stands the best chance of any of the 2nd-tier brands at challenging the leaders.
> BMW
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 18%
Sales change from 2013: +9.8%
Promising vehicles: i3, i8, X4, refreshed X6
U.S. models: 35
The skinny: BMW has worn the luxury crown 3 of the last 4 years but trailed Mercedes and Lexus through the first 2 months of 2015. BMW has built its leadership by populating every niche with a dizzying array of new vehicles. Some skeptics wonder: How many is too many?
> Cadillac
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 9.1%
Sales change from 2013: –6.5%
Promising vehicles: CT6 sedan
U.S. models: 8
The skinny: Under new leadership that relocated from Detroit to New York, Cadillac seeks to reboot after losing 6.5% in an overall luxury market that was up 6.4% in 2014. New boss Johan de Nysschen hopes to restore Cadillac's panache and deliver a healthy dose of price discipline.
> Infiniti
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 6.2%
Sales change from 2013: +0.8%
Promising vehicles: Q30, QX30
Number of U.S. models: 9
The skinny: Infiniti is scrambling to find its footing after the departure of de Nysschen last year and of Michael Bartsch as vice president of Infiniti Americas, who was replaced by Randy Parker last month. Later this year, Infiniti's U.S. dealers will begin receiving a new model, the compact Q30 hatchback, that will demonstrate the benefits of the brand's globalization.
> Jaguar
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 0.8%
Sales change from 2013: –7%
Promising vehicles: F-Pace crossover, XE midsize sedan
U.S. models: 6
The skinny: Jaguar has ambitious growth plans but at the moment is in the shadow of sister brand Land Rover. The F-Pace crossover could do for Jaguar what the Cayenne and Macan have done for Porsche.
> Land Rover
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 2.7%
Sales change from 2013: +2.9%
Promising vehicles: Discovery Sport
U.S. models: 7
The skinny: In the luxury world, nothing is hotter than crossovers and SUVs, and that's all Land Rover sells. Maybe that's why Land Rover had to spend only 1% of sticker price on incentives, in a virtual dead heat with Porsche for lowest, according to TrueCar.
> Lexus
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 16.5%
Sales change from 2013: +14%
Promising vehicles: NX, RC F
U.S. models: 19
The skinny: Lexus hasn't been the luxury leader since 2010, but it overtook BMW and is running 2nd to Mercedes-Benz through the first 2 months of 2015. NX was the right vehicle for the right moment.
> Lincoln
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 5%
Sales change from 2013: +16%
Promising vehicles: MKC, MKX, MKS
U.S. models: 6
The skinny: Lincoln's long-term comeback plan finally began to bite in 2014, boosted by the MKC compact crossover. With a redesigned MKX midsize crossover on the way later this year, Lincoln's fortunes are looking up. But the hole is deep, and the climb is still long.
> Mercedes-Benz
Share of U.S. luxury in 2014: 17.5%
Sales change from 2013: +5.7%
Promising vehicles: GLA, C class
U.S. models: 19
The skinny: Mercedes has jumped into the luxury lead through the first 2 months of 2015. With the introduction of entry-level models such as the CLA and GLA, Mercedes hopes to conquest customers from mass-market brands. Coming new or freshened versions of crossovers and SUVs bolster prospects going forward.
> Porsche
U.S. share of U.S. luxury: 2.5%
Sales change from 2013: +11%
Promising vehicles: Redesigned Panamera
U.S. models: 8
The skinny: Purists didn't think Porsche should offer SUVs, but the Cayenne and Macan proved them wrong.
> Volvo
2014 share of U.S. luxury: 3%
Sales change from 2013: –7.9%
Promising vehicles: XC90, S60L
U.S. models: 6
The skinny: Volvo is hanging its hopes on the redesigned XC90 crossover, which has received glowing early reviews. It arrives not a moment too soon for the struggling Swedish brand.
Source: Automotive News Data Center, Edmunds.com