BMW Sales Fail To Materialize In October Down 18.6% - Mini Sales Drop 20.8%

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 18.6 percent in October for a total of 16,443 vehicles compared to 20,203 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. The sales volume met BMW's expectations for the month and reflected limited inventory of the new 2010 model lineup, which began to arrive at dealerships in the middle of October. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 25.6 percent to 160,666 vehicles compared to 215,836 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

"In October, we continue to see the trend of high volume premium models grabbing the majority of sales while lower volume specialty vehicles lag their previous year's performance," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "That's why we are concentrating our efforts on our core 3, 5, 7 and X5 series - all of which performed well with the 7 Series showing its best single month performance, outselling the same month last year by 10.3 percent to now lead the segment for the first time this year."

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)

In October, sales of BMW's Certified Pre-Owned vehicles increased 31.9 percent to 10,467 CPO vehicles versus 7,937 vehicles reported a year ago. Year-to-date, CPO sales were up 11.6 percent to 94,982 over the 85,081 reported in the same period of 2008.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 4,176 automobiles, a decrease of 20.8 percent compared to 5,272 cars reported in the same month a year ago when MINI benefited over-proportionally from $4 dollar gas prices. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 39,172 automobiles, a decrease of 14.8 percent, compared to the 45,966 cars reported in the first ten months of 2008.

"October played trick or treat with us and we got a mixed bag of news with no clear trend," said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. "While our dealers reported a lot of cautious customers and pragmatic buying choices, we also saw an inspiring performance in the West with sales being above last year."


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GermanNut - 11/3/2009 2:43:58 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry, BMW! Lexus will be the best-selling luxury brand in the U.S. for 2009.

BMW Brand 2009 YTD Sales Decline: -25.6%

Mercedes-Benz Brand 2009 YTD Sales Decline: -20.3%

Audi 2009 YTD Sales Decline: -8.7%

Beyond just Lexus, BMW is performing the worst out of its German rivals Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. OUCH!

Agent009 - 11/3/2009 3:36:46 PM

0 Boost

I agree, they are having a hard time without all of those special lease deals propping them up.

ghosthunter - 11/3/2009 7:44:10 PM

+4 Boost

Agent 009, you have to stop using different data for Asian manufactures and German manufactures. if you want to compare DSR, then do DSR, if you want to compare volume%, then compare volume%. i am not saying you are trying to make German car sales more impressive, but you need to post your number based on the same system.

GermanNut - 11/3/2009 2:54:50 PM

+1 Boost

MB S-Class Sales YTD: 8,920
BMW 7-Series Sales YTD: 7,159

This means the Mercedes-Benz S-class leads by 1,761 units.

The BMW fans think the 750i/750Li models with xDrive and the 760Li will make up for the 1,761 unit deficit....keep dreaming. The 760Li sells all of like 100 units per year and the 750i/750Li models with xDrive won't be able to make up 1,600 units if they re-designed the damn car today.

The 4-year-old MORE expensive Mercedes-Benz S-class outsells the BRAND NEW BMW 7-series by 1,200 units per year. The new Audi A8 is just around the corner.

Clearly The New BMW 7-series = FAILURE

sdcarguy - 11/3/2009 9:45:06 PM

+1 Boost

The new 7 is a failure because BMW lost their way and built a Lexus. If you want a Lexus, Toyota makes a better one.

Willis - 11/3/2009 10:50:24 PM

-2 Boost

Both of you clowns need to shut it. The new 7 series is an amazing car. Just because it isn't the sales leader doesn't mean anything. The tastes and desires of the people out there are what influences sales. The fact remains that the people in this niche usually want something comfortable and less focused on sport. In that sense the S class and LS are the clear leaders. The 7 series is a very comfortable car from what I've read, but I suspect the S and LS still have an overall edge in that department.

The 7 series isn't a failure. So, Germannut, how are the Audi A8 sales in the US? Audi A8 = FAILURE!!!

Get it?

bmwdrvr - 11/4/2009 12:29:33 PM

+2 Boost

Where are sales of the A8 lol?????,"Biasnut", post residuals while your at it and prices of one year old models while your at........the ignorrant bias is strong with this one lol...

thetruth01 - 11/3/2009 3:03:53 PM

+1 Boost

I love reading BMW press releases when their sales are down. Almost better will be the upcoming responses from the hardcore BMW fans that should start posting soon. Happy Tuesday! :)

ItsMi - 11/3/2009 3:41:05 PM

0 Boost

BMW, your sales are down. If I were you, I would start looking after your existing customers and listen to their complaints. You should have more time in your hands to do just that.

pennfootball - 11/3/2009 3:07:19 PM

+2 Boost

DIE! BMW
DIE!
DIE!

GermanNut - 11/3/2009 3:12:17 PM

+2 Boost

Lexus U.S. Sales YTD: 168,910

BMW U.S. Sales YTD: 160,666

Sorry BMW Fans! There is ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE that BMW will close the gap of 8,354 units with Lexus in just two months.

Better luck next time.

theoptimisticpessimist - 11/3/2009 3:59:42 PM

+3 Boost

How Audi doing compared to Lexus.

IVANURI97 - 11/4/2009 12:08:15 AM

0 Boost

Well, I would not count BMW out just yet. With the current problems with Toyota/Lexus and unintended acceleration could hurt sales. Don't like either of their cars so I don't care, but I bet this quality control issue Toyota is dealing with is going to hurt sales no matter how Toyota tries to sweep it under the floormats, errr...carpet.

Yonder7 - 11/3/2009 3:17:14 PM

-1 Boost

Nop, BMW fans are hiden today, or may be very busy. I like German Brands but honestly I am worry for BMW, but may be they deserve it for those silly directions that they are following...3GT, 5GT, X6, ugly 7 series and cancel such a great car as the CS?...they are starting to pay..and if they do not change that path BMW could be the next GM or Chrysler of europe.

ThierryHenry14 - 11/3/2009 3:23:27 PM

+4 Boost

Not for nothing, but I love how Lexus fans jump on BMW's sales when they are down.

I would think Lexus can sell more than BMW in Lexus' primary market and BMW's secondary market. If you are into sports analogy, that is like bragging that your starting line-up can beat another team's benchers or 2nd team. It should be expected.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 11/3/2009 3:58:26 PM

+1 Boost

that doesnt mean anything when BMW reps came out and said they would like to be numero uno this year.

ThierryHenry14 - 11/3/2009 5:56:44 PM

-1 Boost

yes, so BMW is ambitious and wants their second largest market to beat Lexus' largest market. that is normal. I'm just saying, for Lexus, its nothing to brag about, because you are on top, you are expected to remain on top.

GermanNut - 11/3/2009 4:08:57 PM

-4 Boost

Theoptimisticpessimist, Audi is doing MUCH BETTER than any other luxury brand, including Lexus, BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES AND GLOBALLY.

Audi's U.S. sales have fallen just 8.7% for 2009 YTD. Meanwhile Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus have EACH FALLEN AT LEAST 20% in the U.S. for 2009 YTD.

Globally, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus have EACH dropped AT LEAST 16% for 2009 YTD. Audi has dropped just 7.5% globally 2009 YTD.

Audi is also FAR more profitable than any other luxury brand.

david999 - 11/3/2009 5:15:30 PM

-1 Boost

The 1-Series and X3 are killing them right now. I think the new Merc E-Class has also put a big dent into 5-Series sales. ThierryHenry14, I remember in June how all the BMW apologists were crowing that Lexus was dead sales wise, and a new king was about to be crowned.

sdcarguy - 11/4/2009 12:59:55 AM

+3 Boost

The X3 is the worse vehicle BMW ever made.

bmwdrvr - 11/4/2009 12:30:53 PM

+2 Boost

I would say the 318ti was that was a horrible car lol....

topneuro - 11/3/2009 6:10:18 PM

-1 Boost

Buyers to BMW: Good luck with tweaking those leases.
Buyers to BMW: We do not like Run Flat Tires.
Buyers to BMW: Put a freaking oil dip stick back on the engine.
Buyers to BMW: We still like spare tire on cars.

BarackBush - 11/4/2009 1:44:43 AM

-1 Boost

BMW will be fine, one month is not a trend. Yuppies love leasing them

agent507 - 11/4/2009 4:24:00 AM

0 Boost

Here is the math:

Lexus sold:
- Calendar year to date 2008: 220.502
- Calendar year to date 2009: 168.910
That is a 23,4 % Decrease (51.592 cars less)

BMW sold:
- Calendar year to date 2008: 215.836
- Calendar year to date 2009: 160.666
That is a 25,6 % Decrease (55.170 cars less)

Mercedes sold:
- Calendar year to date 2008: 192.294
- Calendar year to date 2009: 153.606
That is a 20,1 % Decrease (38.688 cars less)

So I think it is fair to come to the following conclusions:
1. All 3 are seeing a twenty something decrease, year to date
2. Mercedes the least, Lexus in the middle, BMW the most
3. Mercedes is narrowing the gap

xj13 - 11/4/2009 7:30:26 AM

0 Boost

BMW 335i No 1

validus00 - 11/4/2009 10:15:35 AM

+3 Boost

love how audi fanboys are quick to boast even when audi's sales are down as well. that's because deep inside they're cry themselves to sleep every night, not sure out why audi is still a 3rd tier luxury brand in america, who can't even compete against 3rd tier brands like acura.

they're constantly bitter that they live in a country where audi is perceived as inferior.

obviously audi really wants to be "no. 1 luxury" maker in the world and they're planning to do it by whoring themselves out to average joes and introducing the A1, which bmw just won't be competing against. that last A2 was terrible, so the A1 should be even worse. if that's how audi is planning on becoming number 1, go right on ahead. :)

bmwdrvr - 11/4/2009 12:08:45 PM

+3 Boost

lol and the irony is that a few months back when BMW had a killer month they were spitting illogical bias crap about Audi. I for one want Audi to do well the better the competition(or would be) the better all cars will be, but these overly bias and for no reason backing Audi comments are foolish. Regardless an independent company rules its nest, and has no intentions of resting on its laurels in this currect environment. Sure Audi as a"company,really?" has VW vast amount of resources to take from they should doing bounds and leaps better than any other pseudo err luxury car maker they are much like Lexus and Acura except they are reported as a company so whats the excuse why they dont have better cars or why the S4/S5 costs as much as an M3 yet barely deliver 335i performance or why the TT is twice as much as the car its based on, or why their interiors appear to be depleting in quality as opposed to improving hmmm....no excuse but let the race continue

GermanNut - 11/4/2009 10:47:44 AM

-3 Boost

Validus00, you call Audi's A1 as a car that "whores" the brand out to average Joes?? How about BMW and its crazy 5-series GT, 3-series GT and other pointless models like the X6. How can you say that BMW isn't whoring themselves out for the "niche-filling" strategy. BMW is creating niches for which there is absolutely no need for.

Look at the X6 and its god awful sales. I can't wait until the 5-series GT's sales are even more pathetic.

Sorry, Audi fans are not crying at the fact that Audi is way behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. you moron. Audi fans are jumping for joy that Audi is way behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the United States in terms of sales because it is the precise reason why Audi has been able to experience such a smaller sales decline both in the U.S. and globally compared to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Did you forget, validus00, the U.S. market has collapsed and BMW's sales are down 25.6% 2009 YTD in the U.S. and Mercedes-Benz is down a similar 20.3% 2009 YTD in the U.S.

Audi is the clear market leader in China and, I'm sure you have seen all the articles that indicate how China is of growing importance to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Many executives at all three companies have indicated how the market leader in China will be the world's best-selling premium brand given how the geographic focus has shifted to the growing Chinese market with less reliance on the slumping U.S. and European markets.

GermanNut - 11/4/2009 10:53:34 AM

-2 Boost

The BMW 7-series is a FAILURE. I already posted how the 4-YEAR-OLD Mercedes-Benz S-class outsells the BRAND NEW BMW 7-series by 1,761 units in the U.S. for 2009 YTD.

Sure, the BMW 7-series may drive the best, but it doesn't matter because obviously customers in the large luxury sedan segment are NOT looking for a sedan with the best dancing skills. If customers looking to buy in the large luxury sedan segment were looking for the most athletic, lithe, and nimble car the Mercedes-Benz S-class wouldn't have such a HUGE lead over the BMW 7-series.

Oh yeah, the 750i/Li with xDrive and 760Li won't makeup even half of the 1,761 unit difference.

I don't care how good the BMW 7-series is, the bottom line is that BMW failed to produce a car that customers in the large luxury sedan segment were looking to buy because BMW tried to create a super-sporty, luxury sedan when customers REALLY wanted an ultra-comfortable, decent-handling car.

BMW4me4ever - 11/5/2009 1:30:03 PM

+1 Boost

German nut you are such an idiot. How many times do we have to go through the figures in the premium car segment? Lets do it 1 more time for all the slow people::

Lexus since January of 2009 offers a LS460, LS460L, LS460 awd, LS 460L awd , LS600h L = 5 models being currently offered of its vehicle

Mercedes - S400 hybrid, S550, S550 4 matic, S600, S63, S65 = 6 models

BMW = 750i / 750Li since May of 2009. 2010 models just arrive in 750ix, 750Lix, 760Li = 5 models. The 2010 models just started arriving to dealers after October 16, 2009.

BMW doesnt expect to sell alot of the 760 models, but in the snowbelt states the AWD 750i/750Li will make a big difference. The true figure as a comparison will be November & December Sales.

ughh. The bias is amazing on this site. Audi's A8 has sold year to date 1,000 units. So what is their excuse. Less money than the competing S-class & 7-series. That is pathetic ...

GermanNut - 11/4/2009 10:59:07 AM

-4 Boost

The BMW brand outsold Audi by approximately 200,000 units globally in 2008.

BMW's lead over Audi is now down to less than 74,000 units globally through the first 9 months of 2009 and likely to shrink even further given that Audi has always achieved its highest monthly sales results during the last quarter of each year. Audi is also on track to record a $1.52 billion + profit for 2009 as a whole whereas BMW is trying to achieve a 2009 full-year profit of just $165 million.

We clearly see that Audi is the premium brand with the strongest momentum coming out of this financial and auto market crisis.

This should create a very interesting battle in the next 3-5 years for the title of world's best selling premium brand.

validus00 - 11/4/2009 4:42:53 PM

+2 Boost

and again, an audi-fanboy-in-denial syndrome. if audi isn't truly a 3rd tier carmaker, why are they producing cheap audi's for the sake of becoming number 1 then? surely the expensive 5 gt, x6 REALLY compares to a cheap A1. wouldn't be surprised when high school students pride themselves of owning a four-oval, after working part time and buying a second hand A1, cuz the A1 would depreciate faster than spoiled underwear once wannabe audi owners realize how terrible they are.

you can constantly refer to the chinese market being audi's biggest potential market, but selling chinese-made audi's to bypass china's near 100% german importation tax to undercut bmw and MB makes audi the anti-premium german brand.

the 7 a failure? ignoring the ultimate failure of cheap A8's history shows just how desperate a fanboy you obviously are. it was almost as laughable as the phaeton.... rofl!! can't wait to see what prospective new A8 buyers will think when they learn that the A8 is practically a stretched A4.

not to mention that audi doesn't showcase unique technology. recycling platforms, engines, and licensing technology from other brands (AWD technology that's available to other manufacturers, even hyundai, gearbox from porsche, in-car controls copied from bmw). no wonder you look so pathetic when you keep bringing up profit margins.

audi will always be just that, a 3rd tier carmaker. and once any average joe can drive one, 3rd tier carmaker it'll remain. LOL!!!

GermanNut - 11/4/2009 4:59:27 PM

-2 Boost

The 1-series is of course a very expensive BMW. I'm sure it is the car of choice for CEOs, heads of state, rappers, sports athletes etc. The same goes for BMW's X1. Boy that 128i, or better yet, 118i is quite the premium car.

I'm sure BMW's X1 is going to be an ultra-premium SUV. LOL!

All the dumb high-school girls force their parents to buy them a BMW and so the parents go for the premium 1-series sedan and X1 SUV, both of which cost/will cost below $30K and $35K MSRP respectively.

What about the Mercedes-Benz A and B-class premium SUVs.


Audi doesn't showcase unique technology??? Hahahha nice try!....Ever heard of Quattro AWD, Aluminium Space Frame Technology, Audi Drive Select, Sport Differential, Lamborghini (BTW Audi created the Gallardo in the first place, so technically Audi borrowed its own creation when it took the Gallardo's V10 engine and placed it in the R8)

When is the X0 and 0.5 BMW coming out with their respective GT models??

BTW the new A8 is definitely looking a lot edgier and imposing than any current Audi including the A4. Therefore, it is impossible for the new A8 to be practically a stretched A4.

Audi will be the world's best-selling and most profitable premium brand.

How can Audi be a 3rd tier carmaker if it sells more cars than its two premium rivals, both of which offer cars (1-series, X1, A-class, B-class) that your average Joe can drive too!

Good Try Invalidus00, but you Failed!

BobbyJ - 11/8/2009 9:35:16 PM

+1 Boost

Audi will lead all premium brands by the year 2014 or 2015 based on the past 5 years sales.