BMW Sales Dip 1.6% In July While Mini Sales Leap Forward 24.4%

The BMW Group in the US reported July sales of 28,977 vehicles, an increase of 2.2 percent over the 28,364 vehicles sold in July 2007. The BMW Group also reported its year-to-date sales volume of 186,890 vehicles, down 3.0 percent compared to 192,702 vehicles in the same period of 2007.

BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles dropped slightly by 1.6 percent to 23,914 compared to 24,295 units in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales are down 8 percent to 155,427 vehicles, compared to 168,874 vehicles sold in first seven months of 2007.

"While we see the premium segment being affected by the same economic conditions as the mainstream market, there continue to be less dramatic consequences in this segment," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC, commenting on BMW brand sales. "Buyers of our vehicles are still shopping and purchasing but are even more discerning to choose for long-term quality and value. In light of our corporate results announced today, we are going to strengthen our focus on profitability over the next 12 to 18 months by keeping the supply of vehicles in close alignment with demand, which in turn increases our pricing flexibility and brand value. Actions we are already taking include shifting our customer programs in our dealerships to achieve a more equitable balance of retail financing to leasing, further emphasizing the benefits of our four-year free maintenance program, and further developing our Certified Pre-Owned business to aid residual values."

BMW Automobile Sales
BMW's automobile sales are up 0.9 percent in July to 19,261 versus 19,083 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales are down 7.3 percent, to 122,783 automobiles compared to 132,478 in the same period of 2007.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased by 10.7 percent in July to 4,653 vehicles versus 5,212 sold last July. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are down 10.3 percent, to 32,644 vehicles compared to the 36,396 sold in the first seven months of 2007.

MINI Brand Sales
In July MINI USA reported sales of 5,063 automobiles, a strong increase of 24.4 percent, from the 4,069 cars sold in July 2007. Year-to-date, the division reports sales of 31,463 automobiles, an increase of 32 percent, compared to the 23,828 cars reported in the first seven months of 2007.

"Again this month, we continue to watch a very large movement from larger to smaller vehicles. From the increased traffic in our dealerships, we are seeing desires to downsize but not downscale," said Jim McDowell, Vice-President MINI USA. "Over the last month, our MINI sales have also seen on average $4-5,000 of options in a typical sale. Therefore, at least in the premium end of the small car market, small size is not equating to small dollar sales."

audirevolution - 8/1/2008 2:45:42 PM

+11 Boost

Looks like MichaelTaylor is going to cry.
BMW outsold Lexus.

silver1 - 8/1/2008 3:49:19 PM

-18 Boost

And the Lexus LS out sold the 7-Series-Mini-Cooper

Lexus Beat BMW

silver1 - 8/1/2008 3:53:54 PM

-16 Boost

And Lexus RX outsold that ugly BMW PONTIAC AZTECH X3,X5, and X6 combine

adoptgreyhounds - 8/1/2008 4:43:25 PM

+2 Boost

To M. Taylor,

BMW Group only produces premium/luxury vehicles, BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce.

audirevolution - 8/1/2008 5:51:21 PM

+5 Boost

Silver:

The 5 outsold the GS 4 to 1 almost.
The 3 outsold the IS and ES combined.
The 6, despite being more expensive, outsold the crap SC
The X5 outsold the LX and outdated GX combined.

Whats your point?


MichaelTaylor:

The cheapest 3 you can get in America is a 328i which has about 230 horsepower.
"Powerful". The Lexus IS250 has 204hp, weaker than ANY BMW engine currently available in the N/A market. Does Lexus have an engine more powerful than the 500hp engine found on the M6? I didn't think so.
"True luxury cars". The FWD Camry known as the ES is true luxury? It accounts for most of the Lexus passenger car sales.

silver1 - 8/1/2008 7:11:35 PM

-6 Boost

Lets See.....

BMW has 43 different BMW models to choose from and only sold 23,914 cars

Lexus only has 18 different models to choose from and sold a whooping 22,182

That should be an embarrassment to BMW......And they wonder why Lexus make better Profit than they do.....

Could you imagine Lexus selling 43 different models and what their sells would be? Far from BMW's

It's a shame that Lexus sells what BMW sells and has with only 18 different models to choose from.....

SVXXX - 8/1/2008 7:34:57 PM

+3 Boost

Childish discussion. X outsold Y. so what?
if you want to know the companies only care if they met their predicted sales number. They have to balance the production line vs. the sales. (there is alot more to that but just to put things in perspective)

Bottom line is everyone is hurting!
Somehow toyota is taking it harder then one would expect.
And Without new 1-series the BMW doesn't look super healthy either.

enthusiastx11 - 8/1/2008 9:31:13 PM

+5 Boost

don't cry micheal.
don't cry silver.

support the mother ship! buck up and go buy a new corolla!

aarononymous - 8/1/2008 3:37:42 PM

+2 Boost

Actually VW sales were up last month. Ohhhh you were saying that Audi is a VW, silly me.

CRS2112 - 8/1/2008 4:42:19 PM

+4 Boost

Another intelligent post from you - bravo.

chewy - 8/1/2008 8:48:58 PM

-1 Boost

BMW sales are much better in the US than Audis, no point in denying that. But, BMW worldwide profits fell by 33%. BMW is going to take 40,000 cars that they were to sell in the USA and sell them elsewhere for more money.

Audi has already been doing this to a certain extent and it's pforits have gone up 30% for the same timeframe as BMW has dropped 33%.

bmwdrvr - 8/1/2008 3:20:39 PM

+3 Boost

interesting the X5 outsold the X3, doesnt match trends and increased in sales pretty unusual

JRobUSC - 8/1/2008 3:28:34 PM

+4 Boost

actually the X3 and Z4 are have been on "barely being built" status the last couple of months because they're swapping production plants. Sales are down because there aren't many available to sell and very few slots to order them. With the gas price/market being what it is I'm more surprised that the July X5 sales were UP over last year than I am the X3/Z4 sales are down.

BMW4me4ever - 8/1/2008 3:33:51 PM

+3 Boost

adding onto JRob's comments : BMW has stopped production on the Z4 and the X3. They are switching production locations. The Z4 is being moved to Europe where the X3 is being moved to the US.

I am surprised that BMW was slightly up and that the X5 nationwide is selling so well. BMW now has bested Lexus 3x this year out of 7 months. Writing is on the wall for Lexus.

JRobUSC - 8/1/2008 3:58:04 PM

+4 Boost

sold out is sold out, 410 units is all that BMW made available for the month. Everyone was jumping for joy when Audi sold 394 A5/S5 models, which are also sold out. BMW could easily make more available, they're purposely keeping availability low.

And since I promised this would be my response to your continued stupidity...

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

JRobUSC - 8/1/2008 4:38:49 PM

+7 Boost

chuckles, the 10 BMW dealers within 2 hours of Cincinnati (where I live) have been taking orders for 2009 X6's, not 2008's, since the first month the 2008 X6 came out. They're sold out, to customers, on a 5-6 month wait, and that's pretty much the case everywhere.

But wait, there's more! There are 140 available X6's in the entire U.S., out of almost 400 dealerships. So one out of three dealers has one in stock, PERIOD. Know what those 140 X6's are? Those are the demos they won't sell because they don't have anything to replace them with for five or six months.

That my friend is what you call "sold out".

Are we done now? Because every time you post I feel my IQ drop a few points, and I don't want to end up like you.

adoptgreyhounds - 8/1/2008 5:06:08 PM

+3 Boost

Staar,

BMW group only reports vehicles sold/leased to CUSTOMERS same as Lexus, LR/Jag (unless Tata has changed that), Volvo, Saab and M-B.

JRobUSC - 8/1/2008 8:54:17 PM

+4 Boost

hey Staar, Nissan sold 147 GT-R's last month. Is that car not sold out? Are they not purposely keeping supply down? Nissan sells four times as many cars per month as BMW does, so if BMW sold "a pitiful 410 X6's", which you don't believe makes them sold out, then by your logic Nissan dealers should be just swimming in GT-R's right now. There's no way 147 was all of them, right? I'm going to head over to my local Nissan dealer and pick up a couple of GT-R's. They should have sold at least 1600 last month if BMW could sell 410 X6's, given that whole 4-1 sales thing, so if they only sold 147 then there would just have to be 1500 of them collecting dust.

You're obviously a smart guy, so you're probably right. You'd HAVE to be. I mean, you wouldn't post idiotic drivel on here, would you? The agents would never allow someone to come on here and just be a completely idiotic, moronic, waste of human flesh whose sole purpose is to waste the time of anyone who reads their posts, right? They wouldn't allow someone to just come on here and completely make their site a joke, would they? Naaah.

JRobUSC - 8/2/2008 9:06:55 AM

+7 Boost

do the world a favor and hold your breath while you wait.

2ndbimmer - 8/1/2008 4:17:01 PM

+3 Boost

Staar. BMW pruposely only produces a specific amount of every vehicle. each dealership is given a limited amount o fallocation and what they do with them is their choice. No BMW dealer can call the factory and ask for more, it is based on their growth and "turn" or how fast the sell their current inventory. learn the business or get off the site.

CRS2112 - 8/1/2008 4:55:19 PM

0 Boost

Did your Catholic priest own an Audi??? Are you still bitter from what he did to you??? We are here for you - we can get you help.....

aarononymous - 8/1/2008 8:55:36 PM

+3 Boost

"Staar supposedly drives a audi.. which means he probably drives a vw and doesnt make a lto of money and is probably on the fatter and uglier side (ever seen a good lookign vw/ audi driver?)"

Amazinbimmer, you like your BMW drivers young & fit to take charge?

wow...just wow!!!

enthusiastx11 - 8/1/2008 9:33:02 PM

+1 Boost

did you say something?

CRS2112 - 8/1/2008 5:04:59 PM

0 Boost

Whether you like BMW or not - sales down 1.6 percent is not bad in this current environment.

Mini sales could be even higher if they were available. Once they ramp up production - this number should be even higher.

I test drove a Mini S and while I liked the car (too small) - the 9-12 week wait for one was a major negative. I am sure a lot of others are reacting the same way.

BMW4me4ever - 8/1/2008 5:47:39 PM

+1 Boost

I'd like to see Lexus actually build a car on their own and not share engines or platforms from their toyota sibling. I would like to see if Lexus could survive on their own and come up with their own ideas. I would like to see if Lexus would have their own research & developement team in which they do not rely on the deep pockets of Toyota.

Since none of this will happen & the fact when you open up the hood of your beloved Lexus, it says Toyota, then huu would you actually come up with something original.

In this market, Companies have to be pro-active. If they react after the fact, then they will lose. Hence Toyota and Lexus. When was the last time that Lexus actually sold more cars than the previous year? I believe it was 13 months ago.

silver1 - 8/1/2008 7:14:12 PM

-10 Boost

I would like to see BMW build a car of it's own, and not rebadge, same techs, same dealership, and build the 7-Series-Mini-Coopers with Mini Cooper parts.....

adoptgreyhounds - 8/1/2008 8:15:22 PM

+3 Boost

Silver1

WHAT?????

JRobUSC - 8/1/2008 6:08:54 PM

+8 Boost

You're right, they are doing that, though 1-Series, X6, M3 have no finance or lease specials.

You're a real "have your cake and eat it too" kind of guy, huh huu? You yell from the mountaintop when Lexus sells well, but when they don't you make excuses. Rather than knock BMW for doing what it takes to sell cars right now (btw Mercedes is doing the same thing with the financing, I didn't hear you say anything about them) how about you try understanding the difference between BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. Let's do a little logical analysis (don't worry, I'll type slowly and explain as I go).

The difference is BMW and Benz (and Audi) can make up for the shortcoming in U.S. profits by selling cars everywhere else in the world. Lexus can't. Lexus is taking a bath on every non-U.S. built vehicle they sell here. Built for yen, sold in weak dollars, no profits. The European brands are running into the same issue, only they can sell cars everywhere else in the world for twice the money. That's why Audi is sold out of A5/S5 models in the U.S. with only 393 sold for the month. That's why BMW only sold 1300 1-Series models, but you can't find one at a dealership. Guess what? The rest of the world got all the cars BMW and Audi would have brought here but didn't. The much higher profits they make there allows them to do what they need to do to get by in the current U.S. economy. Lexus can't do that, they don't have those kind of global sales. Their choices are to do nothing and lose marketshare here in their only real market or take even bigger losses by subventing rates like the others and crushing their profits even further. You can see which route they chose. Meanwhile BMW and Benz can ride out the storm and gain marketshare (which they've done every month for the last 13 months) while Lexus is forced to struggle.

That is the difference between being a global power player like BMW and Benz and being a localized creation of a marketing team like Lexus.

bmwdrvr - 8/1/2008 9:51:21 PM

0 Boost

why even bother.....anyone that thinks that there is a luxury brand that isnt selling special rates, and terms is pretty ignorrant...not to mention NO any and everybody are qualifying for special rates or terms.......and thats any luxury brand...so again why even bother wasting your time on explaining this to someone like that.......BMW's performance is really good to have such a low drop and actually increase in sales in the X5...other Mercedes that is the best performance it seems of a Luxury brand but everyone is suffering in some way...and everyone is fighting back with some special terms or sales everyone

ICON - 8/2/2008 1:59:01 PM

+3 Boost

Huu, you have no gonads or grey matter...if you thought about it at all you would see that Lexus is a dressed up Toyota with in some cases 80% of the parts shared with Toyota.

Lots of room to hide profit and loss because Lexus does not report seperate financials-

BTW - Lexus in Newport Beach CA is offering very aggressive financing packages 2.9%

Overall, impressive results from BMW in the current economy.

JRobUSC - 8/2/2008 9:04:49 AM

+4 Boost

uh... what? Was there a point somewhere in that incoherent rant that was in any way related to what I was talking about? Cause I don't see one.

BMW4me4ever - 8/2/2008 10:20:23 AM

+3 Boost

Lexus has 2.9% financing on the RX350. Last time I checked that is the bread and butter for the Lexus Group which accounts for 1/2 of their US sales.

bmwman1963 - 8/3/2008 5:02:28 PM

+1 Boost

and I thought Staar and Taylor were stupid, it looks like huu might be dumber than those two idiots.

jpighetti - 8/2/2008 4:20:30 PM

+3 Boost

ugh...it must take a lot of time, dedication, and serious lack of female companionship to become such an unbearable douchebag. Not only are you so tragically pathetic that nobody even cares to dispute it anymore, you're becoming totally unoriginal too, and that's just sad.

Let me summarize the results of your clearly limited mental capacity.

Burger-flipper - 173 separate references
FWD POS - 216
memo about FWD from Ferrari etc - 54
how much do you make? - 144
community college - 91

and, new for today, VW/Audi owners are fat and ugly. That's right folks. Fat and ugly.

Come on, you can do better than that (not to quote your wife).

aarononymous - 8/2/2008 6:08:41 PM

+1 Boost

lol, ouch...

what car do you drive, loser.

JRobUSC - 8/2/2008 1:54:29 PM

+2 Boost

If you think BMW's profits are down, it's a good thing for your sanity that Toyota won't release the figures for Lexus, because they'd be down even more than BMW's. You'll notice in that article you referenced it states BMW is rerouting over 10% of what would have been U.S.-bound new cars to the rest of the world where they'll make a lot more money on them. That sounds familiar, maybe because I mentioned that above. That's something BMW, Audi, and Benz can do that Lexus can't because they're absolutely nothing globally. Again, sounds familiar, I mentioned that above too. Lexus is getting absolutely destroyed by the U.S. market, their only saving grace is that the majority of their cars share parts and/or chassis' with Toyota models.

Listen, we're done here. I know more than you do, and I don't need to keep repeating myself when you're wrong, are too much of a fanboy to realize you're wrong, and won't listen anyway. You just stand in the corner and keep waving that Lexus flag in ignorant bliss, mmm-kay? Let the rest of the adults talk.

BMW4me4ever - 8/2/2008 4:23:39 PM

0 Boost

actually you are wrong ... lexus sold 8800 RX's in the month of July. divide that by the amount they sold and it comes to around 40 to 45%.

also. $5k is only for the 7-series. Why cause the new version is due out in May of 2009 as a 2010.

Prestige - What is more recongizable as a brand? The BMW roundel or the L on Lexus. Everyone knows the BMW roundel is much more recognizable and carries with it much more prestige.

2. Without Toyota, Lexus is nothing. Lexus is offering great lease deals on the IS< ES and RX & GS. They have $1,000 back on the ES and special financing on the RX models.

3. it is not our fault that your bro bought an expensive camry.

silver1 - 8/4/2008 3:02:55 AM

0 Boost

it's not your fault your brother bought an expensive mini-cooper

mpwr - 8/2/2008 5:22:12 PM

+3 Boost

You sir are truly delusional. Just remember...

SC=Soarer
LS=Celsior
GS=Aristo
ES=Vista/Windom
IS=Altezza
RX=Harrier
LX=Land Cruiser

Toyota makes great reliable cars, but they are no BMW

JRobUSC - 8/3/2008 9:27:04 AM

+2 Boost

huu, you're wrong, just let it go. Everything I said is backed up by actual facts you can look up. Everything you've said is your own emotional pleading that you can't verify because Toyota won't release Lexus financials. I get that you love Lexus. That's fine. I get that you wish Lexus was as strong as you've fought to convince everyone (including yourself) they are. Seeing your hated rival outperform you in the only market you've ever been successful in has got to be tough on a kool-aid drinker such as yourself, especially when deep down you're realizing you're wrong, have been wrong, and there's nothing they can do to stem the tide the way the global marques can. It's got you shouting your warcries and ignorant, baseless hatespeak to anyone who'll listen. I get that too, it's a natural human reaction. But your rhetoric doesn't change anything. Keep praying for them all you want, but you aren't going to win this one. You're wrong, period. And we're done here. Again. Let it go.

bmwman1963 - 8/3/2008 5:07:58 PM

-1 Boost

Staar you must be bipolar and off your meds.

JRobUSC - 8/4/2008 5:57:45 PM

+1 Boost

Huu, the fact that Staar is on your side should be all the proof you need that you're wrong. It's certainly all the proof everyone else on here needs.

Thanks for the assist Staar, couldn't have done it without you.

steve27t - 8/3/2008 10:30:44 AM

0 Boost

I posted this elsewhere, but you need to rad it here also...

Toyota does not have a single car in the top 10 selling cars in Europe. Peugeot has the best selling car, VW has 2nd and 9th, Ford has 3rd and 8th, GM (opel) has 4th and 5th, Renault has 6th, Fiat 7th and BMW has 10th best seller (3 series). Apparently the Prius is not in the top 100 in Germany! The Audi A8 sells better.

Lexus sold 56,000 vehicles is Europe, which includes Russia and other eastern european countries (where Lexus is a good seller). Toyota does not sell the Camry in Europe! They pulled out due to lack of sales.

I found this comment on a blog from AutSavant, an article about Toyota's plight in Europe...(not my words). But I think this sums up a Toyota pretty well.

"Americans like Toyotas because a lot of Americans don't like cars very much. For them a Toyota is perfect. It's looks are bland, so they don't have to think about it. It is reliable so they don't have to think about it. It's not a good performer, so they don't press it's limits and get involved in actually driving, so no need to think about it then, either. No one else will admire it, so no need to talk about it. It inspires no emotion at all. It merely exists."

steve27t - 8/3/2008 10:37:22 AM

0 Boost

a little more.....

Toyota/Lexus best selling market in Europe ? Russia !! Yes the Russians love Toyota/Lexus, they were the number 1 European market with total sales for both brands of 157,000 vehicles for 2007. The biggest growth market in Europe was.....Ukraine up over 100%.

Old money goes after established brands with history, character and style and new money goes.... yes you guessed.

Lexus and Toyota have had a field day in the US over the past 10-15 years because the domestic product was absolutely crap. Outside Japan, against serious competition they do not do so well, in fact they do not do well at all.

Toyota will have to look over their shoulders because their biggest competitors are going to be Hyundai and Kia. Yes the Korean upstarts are going to give Toyota a run for their money at their own game, watch out!

abcd - 8/3/2008 5:58:47 PM

-1 Boost

steve27t in europe if someone want boring and bland car would rather buy vw jetta or passat which are even more bland than corolla and camry . Jeremy Clarkson described vw jetta as "the most boring car in history" :
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article731958.ece

as well as passat "I must say that overall the Passat is a dreary and boring car" :
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article549422.ece

Europeans don`t switched from their bland passats and jettas becouse they weren`t as unreliable as american cars so it wasn`t necessary .
Russia started to be the biggest toyota market in 2007 , before russia the biggest toyota market was germany which are now 2nd and toyota own`s 5% of german market ( second japanese surprisingly mazda own`s 3% ).

silver1 - 8/4/2008 3:08:56 AM

0 Boost

Steve27t

For your info Lexus is the fastest growing automaker in Europe.

VISO - 8/3/2008 9:49:30 PM

0 Boost

Dude you drive a 10 year old M5. Less than 13K. Huu wins. And stop putting down people who may be less fortunate than you or others here. Didn't your parents teach any level of values. Oh yea, Jackasses don't count.

sho_nough - 8/4/2008 12:53:37 PM

0 Boost

What makes you think this jackass is really all that successful. It's too bad someone taught him how to use the internet, let alone type. Or did this jackass invent that too? I think his presence is simply a scam - he's obviously trying to make up for something lacking in his poor, little uncontrollable life...

steve27t - 8/3/2008 7:31:15 PM

0 Boost

abcd.....Europeans don`t switched from their bland passats and jettas becouse they weren`t as unreliable as american cars so it wasn`t necessary .

could you write that in English?

abcd - 8/4/2008 7:32:45 AM

0 Boost

Like americans , europeans have been buying boring and bland cars (e.g. vw jettas , passats ) but americans started buying boring camrys in the past becouse american cars had much worser quality than toyotas while in europe jettas , passats had reliability not that much worser than toyotas so europeans stay loyal for their boring jettas , passats .

steve27t - 8/3/2008 7:36:19 PM

0 Boost

abcd.... you are wrong. Italy is the 2nd largest market for Toyota and the UK is 3rd. Also they do not sell Camry or Carolla in Europe.

abcd - 8/4/2008 7:17:41 AM

0 Boost

They stopped selling camry in europe long time ago becouse it was to big for europe , their family sedan in europe is avensis . They sell corolla in some european markets ( for example on my ) and they sell auris which is successor of the corolla hatch . Yes I made a mistake , russia is now the largest europe market and germany is 2nd market overall , it`s not toyota 2nd market but toyota have 5% of germany market .

JRobUSC - 8/4/2008 5:55:06 PM

+1 Boost

Huu, buddy, here's a tip for you -- if you don't want to get caught lying you have to keep your lie straight whenever you tell it. You've told that story about ten times now about someone you know taking that 8.5% financing for that tuxedo'd Camry they bought. First it was your brother, then it was your friend, now it's your brother's friend.

Just pick one lie and stick to it. We already assume you're full of crap, you don't need to get caught lying to confirm it.

sstainba - 8/4/2008 3:55:15 PM

+1 Boost

Dont' really have a lot to say... except that I've ordered an X6 (although the prod number isn't showing up on the site yet)... and staar is a douche.

JRobUSC - 8/4/2008 6:04:03 PM

+1 Boost

why don't you just post the advertised rates for the Canadian Lexus dealer you work for instead of those other ones? I'd think it'd be easier for you to look those up.