BMW Sales Drop 8.7% While Mini Rises 17.3% In March

BMW Sales Drop 8.7% While Mini Rises 17.3% In March
The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) today reported March vehicle sales of
27,404, down 5.4 percent from the 28,980 vehicles sold in the same month of 2007. For the first quarter of 2008, BMW Group sales are down 9.2 percent, to 68,529 vehicles versus the 75,433 sold in the first three months of 2007.

    The results reflect BMW Group's expectations for the month. As planned and already communicated, BMW of North America expects a stronger increase in sales in the second half of the year. Sales will be driven by new products coming to market this year. Among others, this year sees the introduction of the BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible; BMW's X6 Sports Activity Coupe; BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan and Convertible; and the new twin-turbo charged Advanced Diesel engines for the 3 Series and the X5. MINI continues its success story in the U.S. with the launch of its third variant -- the all new MINI Clubman - which hit showrooms just last month.

    BMW Brand Sales

    BMW brand sales were down 8.7 percent, to 23,115 vehicles compared to 25,325 vehicles sold during March 2007. Year-to-date, BMW reported sales of 58,365 vehicles compared to the 67,360 reported in the same period a year ago, a decrease of 13.4 percent.

    BMW Automobile Sales

    Monthly sales of BMW brand automobiles increased 2.6 percent in March, to 19,231 versus 18,746 in 2007. During the first quarter of 2008, BMW automobile sales are down 10.6 percent to 46,153 versus 51,616 reported in the same period last year.

    BMW Sports Activity Vehicles

    Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 41 percent for the month, to 3,884 vehicles compared to the 6,579 reported in March 2007. Year-to-date, BMW SAV sales are down 22.4 percent to 12,212 vehicles from 15,744 in 2007.

    MINI Brand Sales

    MINI USA reported a 17.3 percent increase in March sales, to 4,289 cars compared to 3,655 cars sold in the same period a year ago. MINI USA also reported sales of 10,164 for the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 25.9 percent over the 8,073 sold in the same period a year ago.
 

    BMW Certified Pre-Owned

    CPO sales were up 22.5 percent in March, to 9,600 over the 7,838 reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 25,224 automobiles, an increase of 32.7 percent, compared to the 19,008 vehicles reported in the first three months of 2007.




BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/1/2008 5:06:44 PM
+6 Boost
dugit. BMW sold 1500 1-series in the last 10 days of March. The car didnt debut until March 24th. That is a pretty good amount. Since they are only bringing 16k into the US this year, means inventories will be very low for awhile.


ChipChip - 4/1/2008 5:09:46 PM
+1 Boost
dugit, i completely disagree.

I think the 1-series will do very well in both forms (coupe & convertible)


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 4/1/2008 6:07:19 PM
-1 Boost
1-series won't have much impact on sales due to the tiny volume. kinda irrelevant when looking at overall brand sales.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/3/2008 4:28:46 PM
0 Boost
gobama ... stick with your lexus cool-aide. YOu have no idea what you are talking about.


528i528i - 4/1/2008 4:59:55 PM
-1 Boost
LOL..


ChipChip - 4/1/2008 5:07:59 PM
0 Boost
Interesting that the only model that did not drop in sales was the 7-series.

The 7-series from 2002, thats about to be redesigned, that people bitch about all the time, that's look is controversial etc is still selling very well indeed. And so many people claim the Audi A8, Mercedes S-class destroy it, but it still sold only a couple hundred units less than the mighty S-class this month. Thats amazing.




BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/1/2008 5:24:02 PM
-1 Boost
the 3-series only dropped 0.3% which I wouldnt consider a drop. What is even more amazing is the Certified Pre-owned sales of 9600 units this month. That is more pre-owned cars, than Audi sold in New cars ....


ChipChip - 4/1/2008 5:39:46 PM
+2 Boost
Xero, I follow sales on this site just like the rest of you.

"but that hardly means the 7-series is a sales success."

You must be the one not following, because this is the most successful 7-series BMW has ever produced.

And BMW4Me, i agree that the 3-series drop was barely enough to consider it one.


autoproautopro - 4/2/2008 12:28:21 PM
-3 Boost
That's what happens when you lose moneyon every lease deal.Their buying business with the seven series.Poor suckers who lease that piece of crap.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/3/2008 4:30:46 PM
0 Boost
gobama ... there is no $8,000 rebate. When the LS was being replaced with the current one, lexus had money back as did Mercedes. Difference is Mercedes still wasnt being able to sell their car and BMW is.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/1/2008 5:43:26 PM
+3 Boost
Zero. The 7-series has been a sales success. BMW has sold more 7-series during this term, than they did during the past 2 decades. In regards to money back and such, all manufacturers have to due something to entice people into getting the last year of a body style. You forget that the 7-series has been around for 7 years. Psst also, the money back is $5,000 ....

Also, there are alot of lease programs going on by the other manufacturers. Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Acura ...


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/1/2008 6:16:10 PM
0 Boost
exactly, it's pretty common practice. If the manufacturer didn't make the outgoing $90k more attractive somehow everyone would just wait for the new $95k car replacing it. And what BMW is doing is nothing compared to what other brands have done recently -- when the last S-class and CL were being replaced I saw a dealer advertising $25000 off new S500's and CL500's.


ghosthunterghosthunter - 4/1/2008 8:41:29 PM
-3 Boost
"BMW has sold more 7-series during this term“
More than what?
gonna love your ignorance.



S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/2/2008 10:09:40 AM
+3 Boost
More than all of the old ones.

Gotta love your arrogant stupidity.


autoproautopro - 4/2/2008 3:12:05 PM
-1 Boost
Wrong! No lease special on LS460.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 4/1/2008 5:45:07 PM
0 Boost
Better yet Zero. The 7-series has sold more cars in the past 7 years, than Lexus has sold of the LS in the past 15 years.


bigmotovbigmotov - 4/1/2008 6:12:48 PM
+1 Boost
What are you comparing here? This isn't about BMW vs Lexus, but more about comparing apples with apples. Are you counting the ENTIRE sales of the 7 Series Globally vs. US sales of the LS? Just curious.


LACMANLACMAN - 4/1/2008 11:53:17 PM
+1 Boost
"the LS has been it's class leader for 15 of the 18 years in it's existance. And it still is."

-ROTFLMAO!!! Class leader based on what? I have an un-biased opinion when it comes to car talk. Only thing that tickles me is when one doesnt support their statements with facts...


finishlinefinishline - 4/1/2008 5:48:09 PM
+1 Boost
8.7%? I'm going to call that a "precipitous" drop. Why shouldn't I get to be arbitrary, too?

::ducks::


1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 4/1/2008 6:12:54 PM
-4 Boost
"The results reflect BMW Group's expectations for the month"

Right... they anticipated 3 months of declines.

Spin spin sugar



JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/1/2008 6:23:11 PM
+2 Boost
Enough already, you and your conspiracy theories. Look, a U.S. recession and crappy exchange rates = "we're not going to bring as many cars over to the U.S. for the time being". And yes, BMW forecasted that last year. You want proof?

Go to a BMW dealer and ask them to show you their allocation pipeline. Everything coming in is presold, and yet sales are down. There's very little inventory, and yet sales are down. How can that be? Why, simple economics my friend -- they're not bringing product over, they're better off selling in other markets rather than losing money selling them here with the exchange rate being what it is.

And that isn't just BMW, it's Mercedes and Audi as well. And it's absolutely KILLING Lexus, your brand of choice, as virtually their entire global sales portfolio comes from U.S. sales. The German brands can cut production, reroute inventory, and keep making money in other markets. Lexus? Not so much.

So give it a rest already, you're really starting to look stupid.


1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 4/1/2008 7:15:48 PM
0 Boost
If I'm starting to look stupid, then your excuses are starting to make you look pathetic. Oh and hey, BMW reported their sales on the same day as everyone else again.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/1/2008 7:20:56 PM
+1 Boost
yep, they did. But they did them last.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/1/2008 7:32:27 PM
+4 Boost
and Toyota, if you're so sure I'm making up excuses take my challenge. Go to your local BMW dealer, count the cars on the new car lot. Then ask the manager how many new cars they USUALLY have going into their peak sales months (spring and summer). Then ask him to show you their pipeline report, and count the entries for inbound vehicles that have customers names attached (aka presold cars). Also about half.

Hmmm, low inventories but still in a sales decline? The majority of inbound cars presold but still in a sales decline? Nah, it couldn't be the manufacturer is doing the smart thing and sending fewer cars here while the dollar is weak, could it? It couldn't be that they're doing exactly what they said at the end of 2007, could it? It couldn't be they're focusing on selling cars in other markets where the exchange rates won't cost them millions, could it? Nah. BMW, MB, and Audi aren't that smart, right? By the way, how are Lexus's margins looking seeing as how they do business almost exclusively in the U.S.? Oh, sorry to hear that.


1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 4/1/2008 8:04:38 PM
-1 Boost
Maybe if people like you spent more time on BMW lots buying the cars instead of counting them, sales wouldnt be tanking. If your logic holds true, then why is Audi only off 500 units so far, why is Volkswagen up, why is MINI way up? BMW can plan all they want to send fewer cars our way. Clearly they know we are in a recession. The problem here is that they have accepted it but you BMW fanboys have not.

I just think its funny that their press releases sound lke Autospies BMW fanboys now. Their PR guy must spend a lot of time here.

I'm not making excuses for Lexus sales being down. I know that we are in a recession. I know that they have no new product right now. I'm not afraid of the truth. You cant handle the truth. BMW is tanking, and they're counting on the X6 and the 1 to save them. The X6 is a niche and the 1 is just gonna steal sales from the 3.

And you obviously have a hard time understanding the concept of conspiracies. Look it up in the dictionary if you need to. I'm not claiming anyone is conspiring here. It's called spin. By a bunch of PR hacks. Well Im not buying it.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/1/2008 10:56:52 PM
+3 Boost
you know what, forget it, you're going to believe your version of whatever you want anyway, it's not worth trying to explain it to you. Your version is just as much "spin" as BMW's, you've just chosen to spin it the opposite way.

And as for BMW "tanking", well, if still being the #2 luxury brand in the U.S. and far and away #1 worldwide is what your version of "tanking" is, I think they'll take that. I think Lexus would take that too, but they'd have to jump over Audi and Mercedes first. They're a little behind them currently (and my version of "little" is about the same as your version of "tanking").


BigShow50BigShow50 - 4/1/2008 6:30:42 PM
-2 Boost
lol...that sucks. Even if BMW sales were in the positive, they are still loosing money like crazy as the dollar remains weak and the cost of parts become more and more expensive. If this keeps up poor quality will possibly become an issue with BMW..."AGAIN!"...LMAO!!!


Hachee2001Hachee2001 - 4/1/2008 6:31:06 PM
+2 Boost
Love it or hate it, you can't deny the success of the current 7 Series. As others have said, it's doing well now because it's subsidized, which is common in the last year or so of a model. Take a look at A8 (and A6) sales when they're not subsidized.

I'm in the market for an SUV (reluctantly; I just need the 3rd row for occasional small kid use), and I've compared the X5 to the Q7, MDX, LR3, etc., and I have to say, I want the X5. I'm hoping March's dismal sales leads to some good lease deals in the next month or so.


Matthew1Matthew1 - 4/2/2008 2:00:17 AM
+2 Boost
Your definition of 'crapper' is?

Certainly not mine.


bmwfan1513bmwfan1513 - 4/1/2008 9:38:03 PM
+2 Boost
I like Mini. The cars are very nice.


autoproautopro - 4/2/2008 3:10:02 PM
+1 Boost
If your a clown or midget.


Dr550Dr550 - 4/2/2008 12:25:06 AM
+2 Boost
Give it up you Toyota Tramps. Went with girlfriend to VW/BMW/Audi/Porsche dealership, she was looking at Audi's. BMW M3 coupe and sedan, along with 135 convertible and coupe in showroom. Beautiful. P.S. Like the way Lexus moves cars with the "Pebble Beach" edition. Along with a year supply of Geritol and Depends.


validus00validus00 - 4/2/2008 3:19:02 AM
0 Boost
so by your logic it'd be safe to assume that lexus' sales decline can be attributed to lexus customers switching to toyota brand cars since lexus customers can no longer afford lexus cars. and toyota's decline is attributed to toyota buyers switching to scion brand cars, hence scion's increase in sales in the month of march.

but that's all good for toyota.

we all know you'd probably crap your pants if one of these days scion sales actually declines which will indicate that toyota buyers can't even afford cheap scions anymore.


validus00validus00 - 4/2/2008 5:57:44 AM
+2 Boost
the new rx is 10 years old? now we know counting isn't one of your forte.

and plus, the rx hardly competes with the x5.


TimETimE - 4/2/2008 5:13:06 AM
+4 Boost
Are all Obama supporters that stupid, or what? I hope not.


DutchmanDutchman - 4/2/2008 10:52:07 AM
+1 Boost
Audi would have had an increase if they had actually supplied they're dealers with A5's and S5's here in the US bit they are keeping the product in markets where the blood bath exchange won't hurt them as bad. By the way BMW and MBZ both make cars and trucks in the US and export them to Europe and other global markets so if an X5 is built in South Carolina and sold in Germany they are making a great profit! Why else would both VW and Audi be looking to open plants here in the good ole USA. I even read that Fiat was looking at a plant to build cars in the US and then ship them overseas. We are becomming the new China!

Dim SUm fo U


autoproautopro - 4/2/2008 7:28:36 PM
+3 Boost
The doller is down 16% to the yen,so everybody's hurting in the U.S.
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