Luxury cars. Is it worth bringing them from the US?
The most luxurious car brands have been igniting the imagination of car enthusiasts around the world since the beginning of their existence. Exclusive cars are the object of desire of collectors and the object of sighs of teenagers who stick posters with them on the walls. The United States is one of the main directions of importing cars to Poland. Is it worth bringing luxury cars from there too? It has become clear that importing a car from the USA is the perfect way to get a car that will be younger, better equipped and with a more powerful engine than its counterparts in the European aftermarket. We mainly import popular cars and premium class cars to Poland. So, a frequent sight on our roads are Lexus cars from the USA, BMW and Mercedes. And what about representatives of luxury brands? What can you find in the American market? Is it a good investment?
Luxury cars vs premium cars
Before looking for answers to the above questions, it is necessary to consider which cars we perceive as luxury and which are premium brands. The answer is not so obvious at all. Any brand can create a luxury car, but that doesn't make it a luxury brand.
The best example is the aforementioned Lexus with its LS models, whose price in Poland starts at more than PLN 500 thousand, and the LFA, which was built in the number of 500 units and was offered for the equivalent of PLN 1.5 million. The same applies, for example, to the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes S-Class in the Maybach edition. However, individual luxury cars on offer do not make the entire brand luxurious. Another thing is that expensive cars are also not always luxurious.
Exclusive car brands can certainly claim the title of luxury cars, whose vehicles are very expensive, offer above-average comfort or are made of materials not available to the average Kowalski. Luxury car brands often have a low production volume, an interesting history, a rich tradition. They can also conquer their uniqueness by putting conditions on buyers. For example, to buy a Ferrari La Ferrari, you need to have certain models of the brand in the collection. The whole area is therefore working on the fact that the brand acquires the title of luxury.
Luxury cars are also often the subject of speculation. For example, in the case of Bugatti, Pagani or other cars with a low production volume, pre-sales are often organized and people are ready to pay a lot for the very place in the queue, although there are manufacturers who struggle with this.
The most popular luxury car brands in the USA
Which luxury car companies are the most popular overseas? When it comes to luxury cars, the choices of American customers are not much different from European ones. It is the same with the best-selling models. Here's a quick overview of what rich Americans are buying.
Porsche
The Porsche brand is primarily associated with the 911, although in the 21st century the manufacturer has made a nod to more popular segments to win even more customers. That's why Panamera and Cayenne hit the market, for example. Customers also appreciated the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster models. The latter did not have it easy at the beginning of his adventure, because despite the Porsche logo on the hood, he was considered less prestigious than the 911. Even now, well-maintained copies of the 1st generation are cheap to buy, but of course this does not mean that they are cheap to maintain. When it comes to classic Porsche models, the United States is an excellent destination for those looking for different versions of the Porsche 356.
Lamborghini
Italian Lamborghini is in great demand among American customers. This is evidenced by the fact that in 2024 it was in the USA that the largest sales of cars of this brand were recorded. Among the popular models can be noted Lamborghini Aventador, Urus and Huracan. The Aventador is currently the flagship model, equipped with a V12 engine. Urus, in turn, is a nod to customers who want a family car with an above-average appearance and performance. While Ferruccio Lamborghini might not praise the idea, it's no secret that many of the parts in the Lamborghini Urus come from Audi. Lamborghini itself, of course, is in the hands of the Germans. There are also quite a few copies of older models in the USA, in particular Murcielago and Gallardo, as well as collectible Countach and Diablo. In the case of the first two, it is worth being careful not to buy a car that was previously driven in a rental company, which was a frequent sight, for example, in Miami.
Ferrari
Ferrari is another manufacturer that bases its sales firmly on the US market, and this is paying off with growing demand. In 2024, sales increased by 403 units to the level of 3,527 cars. What are the most popular models? Ferrari did not resist the fashion for SUVs and in 2023 presented the Purosangue model with a V12 engine with 725 hp. Another popular model is the Ferrari Roma, available in coupe and Spider versions. Also on the podium is 296 GTB with a twin-supercharged V6 engine with 654 hp. He also appears in the body of the coupe and Spider. The United States is also a market rich in offers of classic Ferrari models, which is easier to find here than anywhere else.
Rolls-Royce
At the opposite pole to Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini are brands that offer luxury limousines for people who care about fast, comfortable and quiet movement. Just such cars are produced by the British brand Rolls-Royce, which belongs to the BMW concern. Her cars are made by hand, and in the design center the client can even see how the paint chosen by him will look in the latitude in which the car is supposed to be used. Hardly any manufacturer offers such a high level of personalization. At the Rolls-Royce factory, there is even a separate job for a paint shop employee who is engaged in painting patterns on the sides of cars! The brand also offers an electric model — Spectre. However, in the USA, Phantom, Ghost and Cullinan are the most commonly purchased. The latter is the first in the history of the British manufacturer's SUV.
Bentley
The Bentley brand is a direct competitor to Rolls-Royce and belongs to the Volkswagen concern. Interestingly, in 2024, it was overtaken in the USA by Lamborghini by 100 units. The Americans bought 10.6 thousand cars of the British manufacturer. The recipe is quite obvious - cars are supposed to be luxurious and with powerful engines. Bentley was created for the production of sports cars, hence its more sporty character. In 1924 and 1927, the brand's cars won Le Mans. It is worth knowing that in 1931 Bentley was bought out by Rolls-Royce and thus saved from bankruptcy and oblivion. The most popular Bentley models in the USA are the Continental GT, Bentayga and Mulsanne.
Aston Martin
Another icon of British motoring and a synonym for luxury is the Aston Martin, which was repeatedly driven by James Bond himself. An interesting fact is that currently Aston Martin does not belong to any automotive concern. In 2020, the brand was acquired by Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll and has been its owner and CEO ever since. In its entire history, Aston Martin was part of the automotive concern only once, and this happened between 1994 and 2007, when it was owned by the Ford Motor Company. In the USA, the full range of the brand is available, including the spectacular DBX 707 SUV.
Maserati
Maserati is another Italian brand whose cars are loved all over the world, including in the United States. It currently belongs to the Stellantis concern. The company was founded in 1914 by four brothers who had previously worked for another manufacturer. They were joined by a fifth brother, Carlo Maserati, who worked for Fiat and Bianchi. From the very beginning, they were engaged in the production of sports cars. In 1968, Citroen bought the brand, and in 1976 it was taken over by Argentinian racing driver Alejandro de Tomaso. In 1990, it came under the control of Fiat. One of the most purchased models in the USA is the Levante SUV.
Is it worth importing luxury cars from the USA?
The answer to this question is not so obvious. As a rule, cars offered at auctions are damaged, and parts for luxury cars are not among the cheapest. Brand cars are the most popular Porsche from USA, because the large volume of production makes it easy to buy, for example, body parts from the secondary market. You can also consider buying a damaged model of a premium luxury brand, such as the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, etc.
However, if you have enough resources to afford a luxury car maintained in excellent condition, then the United States will be a very good direction due to the availability of cars on the secondary market. The large volume of sales makes it easier to buy most of the models, which are rarely found in Europe. This applies in particular to cars that are no longer produced and have a collector's value.
Manufacturers also run their programs for the sale of certified used cars. Thanks to this, you can buy a certain car of a luxury brand without the risk that it hides some secrets in the form of, for example, an accident past. This is important because there are many luxury car rental companies in the USA and such cars are usually heavily exploited.
Where to buy luxury cars in the USA?
If you are looking for a damaged car, it is best to look for them at auction houses that conduct auctions of cars from insurance companies. Of course, not all cars are damaged, because there are, for example, cars in perfect condition, but recovered after theft. You can also bring and register such a vehicle in Poland. However, if you are interested in a car in perfect condition, then it is worth looking through the offers of dealerships, Craigslist, auction sites such as Bring a Trailer, Mecum Auctions and Sotheby's Motorsport.
How to import a luxury car from the USA?
Importing a car from the USA for many it may seem like a complicated operation, and others may simply not have time for it. This is where companies that professionally import cars from the USA come to the rescue - for example, Bryki from America. All you have to do is contact our specialists, specify your requirements and budget, and we will find and buy the vehicle of your choice on your behalf. We will also take care of transport to the port, freight and transport to Poland. You can also count on assistance in completing the formalities and paying customs and stamp duties. We also help at the stage of preparing the car for registration in Poland.
At all times, you will know what is happening to your car. Optionally, you can order a pre-purchase technical inspection, which will be carried out by a third-party company. You can also purchase additional freight insurance. All to keep your money safe. In the case of buying a car by auction, we often invite our customers to participate in the auction. This allows, for example, to change the car that will be auctioned or to adjust the budget. If you lose, you will decide whether we should search and bid further or if you want to withdraw the fee to the auction house.
summary
You already know that the American aftermarket is full of interesting cars of luxury brands. The multiplicity of offers allows you to easily find an interesting model in the selected specification. At the same time, you need to remember that not always the purchase of such cars from the USA will be significantly cheaper than for mid-range and premium cars, even if you opt for a damaged car. A better idea is to buy a luxury car without damage and a dubious past. Then it will not only enjoy you during the rides, but additionally it can turn out to be a profitable investment.