When it comes to luxury automakers, Lexus has carved out a strong niche for itself as the most eco-friendly. The CT200h and hybrid versions of the company's SUVs have been big sellers for the brand, while rival premium marquees haven't focused on hybrids nearly as much.
That's about to change, reports Bloomberg, as BMW looks to be getting into the hybrid race in a strong way. The company plans on adding semi-electric versions of its popular 3 Series and 5 Series vehicles early next year, which would give the company four hybrid options in its fleet. Lexus would still lead the way with five overall.
"Lexus so far effectively had a monopoly on luxury-hybrid models," analyst Jesse Toprak of TrueCar told the news source. "Their dominance will be challenged for the first time."
Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which have focused more on diesel engines, are also planning to get in on the hybrid game, adding either semi- or fully-electric vehicles over the next year as well.
Whether you're driving an electrically-powered luxury SUV or a used hand-me-down, auto maintenance is of the utmost importance. Car repairs on vehicles like these can be expensive, so it's critical that buyers keep up with things like tune-ups and oil changes.