BMW Sales Stagnate Up Only 0.5%: Mini Up 2.1% For April

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported sales of 104,125 vehicles year-to-date, a 2.9 percent increase over the 101,151 vehicles sold in the same period of 2006.

The BMW Group also reported a slight increase of 0.5 percent in April sales. 28,692 vehicles were sold compared to 28,563 vehicles reported in the same month a year earlier. This makes April 2007 one of the strongest months ever reported by the BMW Group in the U.S.

BMW Brand Reports Increase in Year-To-Date Sales

BMW brand continues to be strong with sales up 4.9 percent year-to-date, as the company reported sales of 92,670 vehicles compared to 88,353 vehicles sold in first four months of 2006.

April sales of BMW brand vehicles increased by 0.2 percent and reached 25,310 compared to 25,250 reported in the same month a year ago.

BMW Automobile Sales
BMW's automobile sales are up 10.1 percent in April to 20,290 versus 18,427 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales also are up 5.3 percent, to 71,907 automobiles compared to 68,311 in the same period of 2006.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales April sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are down 26.4 percent to 5,020 vehicles over the 6,823 sold last April. This is due to a very high comparable basis for X3 sales in April 2006. Both the X3 and the X5 continue to be very well received, with the X5 showing a sales increase of 21.8 percent in April 2007 compared to the same month a year ago.

Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are up 3.6 percent, to 20,763 vehicles compared to the 20,042 sold in the same period of 2006.

Certified Pre-Owned
The company reported sales of 7,368 CPO sales in April 2007, a decrease of 12.0 percent over April of 2006. Year-to-date, CPO sales are down 7.9 percent, to 26,376 over the 28,630 reported in the same period in 2006.

MINI Brand
MINI Automobiles
MINI USA reported April sales of 3,382 automobiles, up 2.1 percent from the 3,313 cars sold in April 2006. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 11,455 automobiles, a drop of 10.5 percent, compared to the 12,798 cars reported in the first four months of 2006.

SupraNeverBack - 5/1/2007 2:39:36 PM

+1 Boost

BMW sales have been flat like months or a year.

Doesn't BMW have three new products, 3, x3, x5?

JRobUSC - 5/1/2007 3:42:52 PM

+1 Boost

BMW is on pace to set a record for the year. There's more to sales figures than just growth, look at the actual monthly sales and compare that to other luxury brands. The only one that sold more was Lexus, by 685 units for the month. They both had monster months in April 2007. People have a tendency to see growth figures and think a high number means huge success this year and low numbers mean low success. It's not that simple. Huge growth figures from April 2006 to April 2007 could also mean April 2006 was a disappointment. For example, last April Lexus sold 22355 units, BMW sold 25260. I'm sure April 2006 was considered a huge success for BMW and a disappoinement for Lexus. BMW growing 0.2% over that particular month just showcases they had a fantastic April 2006, because they had a strong as death April 2007 too (as did Lexus).

JRobUSC - 5/1/2007 5:37:34 PM

+1 Boost

yes, please deboost me for actually knowing what I'm talking about and stating what should be obvious to anyone who knows how to read statistics. That seems to be the norm around here.

Chip - 5/1/2007 7:52:49 PM

+3 Boost

JRob ignore the deboosting. There are so many children playing around on this site now. I really wish the moderators of this site would wake up, because people like LexusRetardForever are honestly ruining the credibility of Autospies.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/2/2007 2:16:22 PM

+1 Boost

LOL. For some reason, "LexusRetardForever" made me laugh today. Things like that usually don't.

BMW4me4ever - 5/1/2007 2:51:15 PM

-2 Boost

short supply of X5's , 3-series coupes, 3-series conv , 2008 5-series has to do with it.

1970toyotamarc - 5/1/2007 3:19:26 PM

+1 Boost

Where are all the excuses? Wait for the X5. (It's here.) Wait for the 3 series coupe. (It's here.) Wait for the new 3 series engine. (It's here.) Wait for the covertible. (It's here.) Are we still waiting for anything?????

SupraNeverBack - 5/1/2007 3:31:47 PM

+1 Boost

x6

JRobUSC - 5/1/2007 3:34:26 PM

-1 Boost

yeah, the ability to actually get one of the cars you mentioned.

And by the way, the title of this article is misleading. BMW sales might have only been up 0.2% but look at how high those figures are. BMW sold 25310 vehicles for April 2007, and Lexus with their 14% growth for April sold 25995. What does that mean? It means last April BMW sold a ton of cars, and this April they again sold a ton of cars, despite virtually zero availability of 3-series coupes or convertibles and only a smattering of X5 V8's and leftover 2007 5-series models. Try reading more than just the title of the thread there 1970ToyoLexMarkwhatever. It's called "analysis", try using some.

AdmiralT20 - 5/1/2007 4:32:40 PM

-1 Boost

1970toyotamarc ,
The 3 series is the strongest of them all if you actually look at the numbers.
Total 3 series were up 16.7% from March:11259 to 13142 units.
The 3 series convertible sales were up 100% from March:1268 to 2453 units.
The segment that exhibited poor sales are the 5,X3 and the X5 when compared to March of this year.

enthusiastx11 - 5/1/2007 9:14:09 PM

+1 Boost

no need to make excuses when BMW is set to have record year! sales UP 4.9% year-to-date.

good job BMW!

Agent009 - 5/1/2007 3:44:39 PM

+4 Boost

Thanks for posting those numbers

AdmiralT20 - 5/1/2007 4:41:32 PM

+2 Boost

Thanks Xerox

donman - 5/1/2007 3:56:15 PM

+2 Boost

Their biggest issue is getting the cars - I was quoted 3 Month wait for a 3 series coupe (335) and 5 months for 335i convertible.2008 M5 is also 3 month wait.

1970toyotamarc - 5/1/2007 3:59:28 PM

-1 Boost

Now the excuses are coming. Much better.

JRobUSC - 5/1/2007 4:37:46 PM

+2 Boost

yes, why let logic, intelligence, or any understanding whatsoever of what figures actually mean get in the way of bashing BMW for only selling 25310 cars for the month and coming out ahead of April 2006 when they set a sales record. BOO BMW! BOO I SAY!

enthusiastx11 - 5/1/2007 9:16:37 PM

-1 Boost

how is record sales an excuse?
and only few hundred cars shy of almighty lexus es and rx sales.

JRobUSC - 5/2/2007 1:59:46 PM

+1 Boost

what proof do you need? That most of BMWs models are waitlisted? That they're setting sales records every month? You said "wait for the excuses to come why BMW only was up 0.2% from April 2006", like BMW had a failure last month, which was, simply, an idiotic statement. If you really taught math at any level there's no way you'd have said something so obtuse. Why? Because April of 2006 was also a record month and using that to indicate slow growth is asinine. They had a ridiculous month in April 2006, outselling every other luxury make by a minimum of 3000 cars, and they followed that up with an even better April 2007. But because the figures were so high the growth was only 0.2%. So what? They still sold a ton of cars, both months, and are on pace to shatter their all time record, up 4.9% for the year. And you think I'm a Lexus hater -- not the case. I said in my first post at the top of this thread "BMW had a monster month, as did Lexus". I give credit where credit is due. You, Mr. Math Teacher, are intent on misrepresenting (or at the very least purposely misinterpreting, which for a math teacher is probably worse) the figures.

1970toyotamarc - 5/1/2007 4:04:11 PM

0 Boost

That's a lot of 3 series. They sold (or more likely leased) more 3s than Ford sold Fusions. Tho it pains me to say it, it's even more than the ES and IS combined. I guess I'll just have to stick to the LS demolishing all others in its class.

AdmiralT20 - 5/1/2007 4:34:08 PM

0 Boost

Good, I think you better stick to the LS demolishing one.

JRobUSC - 5/1/2007 4:40:08 PM

+3 Boost

if only he could actually be IN the car when it gets demolished. People like him are intelligence black holes, lowering the IQs of anyone around them.

1970toyotamarc - 5/1/2007 6:25:26 PM

-1 Boost

you need anger management classes. Please get a life.

JRobUSC - 5/1/2007 6:29:21 PM

+3 Boost

you need to take a statistics class, please refrain from posting about them until you have done so.

1970toyotamarc - 5/1/2007 6:55:40 PM

-2 Boost

O please impart your wisdom on Statistics. With a degree in Sociology, and years teaching high school Math, I think I know a little about statistics. You, on the other hand, have done nothing but spew negativity and hate. Where are the statistics you seem to hold so precious?

shep - 5/2/2007 2:58:18 AM

+1 Boost

you know what they say, "those who cannot DO, teach"

JRobUSC - 5/2/2007 10:43:04 AM

+1 Boost

I think he meant years of repeating high school math.

1970toyotamarc - 5/2/2007 11:14:15 AM

+1 Boost

You still have not proven any of your arguments with facts. Both of those previous comments (yours and shep's) speak of your inabilities to craft logical arguments without resorting to ad hominem attacks, so they require no further response.

JRobUSC - 5/2/2007 2:00:26 PM

+1 Boost

what proof do you need? That most of BMWs models are waitlisted? That they're setting sales records every month? You said "wait for the excuses to come why BMW only was up 0.2% from April 2006", like BMW had a failure last month, which was, simply, an idiotic statement. If you really taught math at any level there's no way you'd have said something so obtuse. Why? Because April of 2006 was also a record month and using that to indicate slow growth is asinine. They had a ridiculous month in April 2006, outselling every other luxury make by a minimum of 3000 cars, and they followed that up with an even better April 2007. But because the figures were so high the growth was only 0.2%. So what? They still sold a ton of cars, both months, and are on pace to shatter their all time record, up 4.9% for the year. And you think I'm a Lexus hater -- not the case. I said in my first post at the top of this thread "BMW had a monster month, as did Lexus". I give credit where credit is due. You, Mr. Math Teacher, are intent on misrepresenting (or at the very least purposely misinterpreting, which for a math teacher is probably worse) the figures.

EnnNorak - 5/1/2007 4:45:57 PM

-4 Boost

I bash any company that charges extra for popular paint colours on cheaper models. It's blackmail marketing. I also bash companies that do not style their cars to incorporate a protective side strip to prevent lo-lifes from dinging your doors in parking lots.
In fairness to BMW though, I applaud that comany for making perfectly balanced in-line 6 cylinder engines as opposed to inherently-out-of-balance 90-degree V6 engines as found in certain other German cars.

shep - 5/2/2007 3:03:33 AM

+2 Boost

soory, but is Black not popular? How about White?

izfuney - 5/2/2007 6:52:42 AM

+1 Boost

inline 6's may be inherently balanced but pay a very heavy price in terms of their weight penalty, and fuel efficiency not to mention packing.
In a era when F1 has gone from v10 to v8 i would have thought that the superiority of the v configeration for all engines 6 cylinders and above would be apparant. Modern technology (yes modern tech :) ) has made the packing advantages of the v6 an inherent advantage over the natural balance of the inline 6.
I personally think BMW hangs on to it because it is a calling card. Frankly i think it is a creature of the past.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/2/2007 2:20:06 PM

+2 Boost

EnnNorak, you still have the oddest complaints! What is it with you and rubber door strips? Do you live in the South side of Detroit or something?

enthusiastx11 - 5/1/2007 9:18:14 PM

+2 Boost

lol.
yeah...the 3-series outselling the IS by 3 TIMES really sucks.

Will_ - 5/1/2007 11:41:33 PM

-1 Boost

The ES is killing the 3.

enthusiastx11 - 5/2/2007 12:02:33 AM

+2 Boost

1. the ES and the 3-series don't compete...one is a large luxury sedan and the other is a compact sport sedan. the IS competes with the 3-series.
2. 3-series sales are about 120,000 units a year in the US alone, ES sales are about 75,000

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/2/2007 2:00:18 AM

-2 Boost

BMW fans, get one thing straight. Lexus fans will NOT be intimidated by your wierd explanations.
Lexus fans will fight for what we beleive in.

shep - 5/2/2007 3:02:12 AM

+1 Boost

such passion from a normally BORING lot. Congrats, maybe your passion will rub off on Toyota! Keep up the good fight

enthusiastx11 - 5/2/2007 11:18:50 AM

+1 Boost

weird explanantions? lol.
i'm just responding to stupid statements with facts.
and what exactly do you believe in?

AdmiralT20 - 5/2/2007 2:07:53 PM

+2 Boost

Will,
It is difficult not to agree with you, and it is even more difficult when you look at the actual numbers to see why the ES is doing a fantastic job killing the 3 series.
----2007 Sales-----
----------ES+IS-----------3 series-----------Difference
Jan------8715------------10190--------------(-1475 units)
Feb------9223------------11698--------------(-2475 units)
Mar------12521----------11229--------------(+1292 units)
Apr------10907-----------13123--------------(-2219 units)
YTD-----41366-----------46240--------------(-4874 units)

So based on the numbers I can see how the ES is killing 3 series

S4cabriofoxone - 5/2/2007 2:17:25 PM

0 Boost

They don't compete. The 3 is killing the IS. The ES is a Camry in a tuxedo; anything with Camry DNA sells well. It's just in the genes.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/2/2007 2:18:01 PM

0 Boost

LOL.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 7:59:25 AM

+1 Boost

Intelligence is banned in LexusLand. We do not believe in rational arguments.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 8:02:07 AM

+1 Boost

Doesn't he have a pimped out '98 Corolla?

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 8:03:19 AM

+1 Boost

I think the ES competes with Buick.

IS sales will improved with addition of a manual in IS 350.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 8:05:01 AM

+1 Boost

^^I meant Will.

enthusiastx11 - 5/1/2007 9:12:58 PM

+2 Boost

i love that sales up 4.9% year-to-date and the highest volume in the history of the company is considering "stagnating." wish more of my investments were stagnating in this manner. lol.

enthusiastx11 - 5/1/2007 9:15:19 PM

+1 Boost

do you people only read headlines? actually read the article for more revealing info.

M53R - 5/2/2007 2:12:04 PM

+1 Boost

When BMW sold extremely well in april 2006, do you expect a 20% increase in april 2007? some people need to start using their common sense here, or at least start using their brains. BMW did very well this month considering their sales increased over last year. GO BMW!

1970toyotamarc - 5/2/2007 6:36:43 PM

+3 Boost

That's just another typical BMW fan excuse. Every time sales are flat (or in some recent months, down) the excuses come out. The big excuse this month is that BMW had such a monster month a year ago, there's no way that it could post monster numbers this month. Well, the same could be said for why Toyota is posting lowered sales in April. You BMW fans can come out with a rationalization for anything.

But if you look at raw data (JRob insists on talking about statistics, but I'm here to say that raw numbers are much more revealing than some spin provided by amateur hack pseudo-statisticians on Autospies), you find that the 3 had an exceptional month and the new X5 is doing well, but the 5 is down (and down for the year), the 6 and 7 are slightly up (but down for the year), the X3 is significantly down, leading to a very flat month all around.

Maybe you havent been around for all these months to see the endless excuses (and the vociferousness with which they are presented), but they provide me with quite a humorous read each month.

JRobUSC - 5/3/2007 10:57:04 AM

+1 Boost

1970, you mean the 2007 5-series is down for the year? The car that there are very few of left in the country because BMW stopped building them three months ago because the 2008's were going into production (and actually just came out)? That car? Wow, it is shocking that a car there purposely are less of available would have lower sales volumes. I wonder how many 2008's are presold? It couldn't possibly be that people wanted color and option combinations they could no longer order on the 2007's and as such ordered 2008's, could it? It couldn't possibly be that buyers wanted the new engines or just wanted the new car. And again I'm sure the intentional lack of availability had nothing to do with it. Just "sales are down". You're right. BMW should have flooded dealer lots with 2007's so they could sit next to the restyled and more powerful 2008's. That makes sense.

Another brilliant leap of statistical logic by 1970, everyone give him a hand!

JRobUSC - 5/3/2007 11:04:39 AM

+1 Boost

and by the way, we're not saying sales were so good in April 2006 that BMW couldn't post a big month in April 2007. They actually posted a BETTER month in April 2007, despite most brands going DOWN from April 2006 to April 2007. They DID have a huge April 2007. Enormous. Monstrous. You are fixated on 0.2% growth. But if you really want to look only at raw numbers, as you say you do, then excellent. Here's a raw number for you -- 25310. BMW's raw sales figures for April 2007 were higher than every luxury brand except Lexus, and even then it was only 665 cars lower, and that's despite all the availability restrictions. There's your raw number. And before you again try labeling me a BMW homer/apologist (not that BMW should have to apologize for continuing record sales) I'll also acknowledge that Lexus had a fantastic month, rebounding very well from a subpar April 2006, and the ES continues to be a fantastic seller for them.

Will_ - 5/2/2007 3:32:12 PM

+3 Boost

Why is it when I make irrelevant comments everyone takes them so literally? Am I not allowed to participate in the exchange of meaningless banter like the rest of you? Okay, I'll stick to my factual information from now on, starting now:

Lexus rules, BMW sucks.

BMW4me4ever - 5/3/2007 3:02:44 PM

+1 Boost

BMW is #1 again in North America .... 2nd month in a row ... margin of victory over Lexus is 264 cars ... way to go BMW