Who's Sales Are MORE At Risk Since The Intro Of The BMW X1? The 3-Series OR X3?

Now we're not sure if you noticed, but today Agent 009 did a stellar job covering the release of the August 2012 sales figures. Well done, 009. And BMW/MINI had an interesting month of sales.

BMW tumbled on percentage basis, year-over-year, and MINI shot the lights out. But why?

If you took a second to observe the figures that were itemized, it's readily apparent that the SUVs are the vehicles that are moving out showroom doors. Sedan sales -- even the 3-Series -- are down significantly from the same period in 2011.

That being said, the all-new BMW X1 made its debut in August. Being even more aggressively priced than the current generation X3, which has moved ever so slightly upmarket, it is priced in the 3-Series sedan area.

This poses an interesting conundrum: What will BMW buyers choose now that the X1 is here? Which vehicle stands to LOSE?

GermanNut - 9/5/2012 9:38:02 AM

-1 Boost

The 3-series and X3 are both at risk. Even when the new 3-series xDrive sedans start reaching dealerships, buyers might go for the added utility of the X1, given it's in the same price range as the 3-series sedan as 00R mentioned above.

vdiv - 9/6/2012 11:20:17 AM

+1 Boost

The US market is very important for BMW, but it is not the only market. Though in the US the X1 may displace the X3 and 3 series sales, I somewhat doubt that this effect would be as significant elsewhere. People chose a model based on many factors, not just the price, and the price difference among the three is not significant. The competition in the compact utility vehicle is very high and BMW's position in that segment is not necessarily very strong even with the X1.

t_bone - 9/9/2012 9:34:56 AM

+1 Boost

Let's see, the cute-ute platform features worse handling, acceleration, braking, mileage, and a cramped interior space. But it looks outdoorsy.

So yes, it probably will sell well.